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ECDE teachers in Kakamega County are set for a major labour relations breakthrough after the County Public Service Board (CPSB) invited KUNOPPET to sign a long-awaited Recognition Agreement on July 7, 2026
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The agreement is expected to mark a significant milestone for ECDE teachers, as union recognition formally establishes KUNOPPET as the legitimate representative of eligible employees.
Thousands of Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE) teachers in Kakamega County are set for a major labour relations breakthrough after the County Public Service Board (CPSB) invited the Kenya Union of Pre-Primary Education Teachers (KUNOPPET) to sign a long-awaited Recognition Agreement on July 7, 2026.
In a letter dated July 2, 2026, the CPSB confirmed receipt of the union’s application for recognition and invited its national officials to the signing ceremony scheduled for 10 a.m. at the County Chambers, County Headquarters in Kakamega.
The agreement is expected to mark a significant milestone for ECDE teachers, as union recognition formally establishes KUNOPPET as the legitimate representative of eligible employees.
It also grants the union the legal mandate to negotiate collective bargaining agreements (CBAs), engage the employer on labour issues, and advocate for improved terms and conditions of service.
For years, ECDE teachers across the country have campaigned for better pay, enhanced job security, career progression, improved working conditions and equal treatment with other public service educators.
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Although several county governments have employed ECDE teachers on permanent and pensionable terms, labour-related concerns have continued to feature prominently in discussions between teachers and county administrations.
The planned signing reflects Kakamega County’s commitment to institutionalizing dialogue with ECDE teachers through their recognized union.
Education stakeholders say the move is likely to promote industrial harmony, reduce labour disputes and establish a structured mechanism for addressing workplace concerns.
Once signed, the Recognition Agreement will provide both parties with a formal platform for consultations and negotiations, replacing ad hoc engagements with a more predictable and transparent framework for resolving labour matters.
Stakeholders have consistently maintained that improved teacher welfare directly contributes to better learning outcomes.
They argue that teachers who feel valued, represented and adequately supported are better placed to provide quality instruction to young learners, ultimately strengthening the foundation of early childhood education.
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The invitation to the signing ceremony was signed by Anne Miheso on behalf of the Acting Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of the County Public Service Board. A copy was also forwarded to the Kakamega County Branch Secretary of KUNOPPET.
If the agreement is signed as scheduled, Kakamega will join a growing number of counties that have formally recognized trade unions representing ECDE teachers, in line with Kenya’s labour laws that encourage collective bargaining and constructive engagement between employers and employees.
Labour experts note that recognition agreements provide a stable framework for negotiations, helping both employers and employees resolve workplace issues amicably while fostering mutual respect.
By Hillary Muhalya
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