- Teachers used World Teachers’ Day celebrations in Eldoret to press TSC over longstanding welfare and career concerns.
- KNUT officials protested the alleged movement of thousands of members to KUPPET without their consent.
- KUPPET leaders raised concerns over promotions, capitation delays, healthcare and delayed placement of new teachers on payroll.
World Teachers’ Day celebrations in Eldoret on Thursday turned into a spirited debate over teachers’ welfare, with union officials accusing the government and the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) of failing to address long-standing grievances.
The celebrations, held at Moi Girls High School Eldoret, Uasin Gishu County, brought together teachers and officials from the Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) and the Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET), who used the occasion to demand action on promotions, salaries, healthcare, school funding and working conditions.
A major point of contention was the alleged transfer of thousands of teachers from KNUT to KUPPET, with KNUT officials claiming that more than 15,000 members, mainly those teaching in Junior Schools, had been moved between the unions without their knowledge or consent.
Wareng KNUT Branch Secretary Simon Tuwei warned that the union could mobilise demonstrations at TSC headquarters in Nairobi if the affected teachers were not returned to KNUT.
KNUT National Trustee Boniface Tenai said teachers should have the freedom to belong to the union of their choice, warning against any arrangement that could undermine workers’ right to association.
Unions raise promotion concerns
The union officials also raised concerns over career stagnation, particularly among teachers in grades C1 and C2, as well as delays in promotions.
Rift Valley KNUT representative John Koech said some teachers had remained in the same job groups for years despite meeting the requirements for advancement. He also called for more teachers to be recruited in marginalised areas.
KNUT NEC member Simon Tuei urged the government to consider declaring World Teachers’ Day a national holiday, saying the occasion should provide an opportunity to recognise teachers and address their concerns.
KUPPET officials equally used the celebrations to pile pressure on the government over teachers’ welfare.
Rift Valley KUPPET Regional Chairman Francis Wanyoike said teachers were increasingly concerned about delays in implementing provisions of the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) and promotions.
He said some teachers had remained in one job group for between 10 and 15 years despite being qualified for promotion.
The concerns extended to Junior School teachers, with Uasin Gishu JSS representative Vincent calling for commuter allowances and greater autonomy for JSS, including direct access to capitation funds.
KUPPET Uasin Gishu Chairman Sosthene Bellat raised concern over delays in the disbursement of school capitation and late payment of teachers who mark national examinations administered by the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC).
KUPPET Uasin Gishu Executive Secretary Elijah Maiyo said newly employed teachers were also facing financial difficulties because some take between three and four months to be placed on the government payroll.
According to Maiyo, the delays leave teachers struggling to meet their financial obligations after reporting to their stations and can also affect access to Social Health Authority (SHA) services.
He further called for faster processing of retirement benefits for former teachers, saying some retirees wait for long periods before receiving their dues.
Special needs teachers seek better conditions
Teachers handling learners with special needs also joined the call for better working conditions.
Julius Chepsoi said special schools were operating under financial constraints because of inadequate capitation. He called for enhanced allowances for teachers serving in special needs institutions and implementation of promised improvements in their grading.
TSC Vice Chairperson Sharon J. Kisire, who was the chief guest, acknowledged the concerns and said the commission was taking steps to address challenges affecting teachers. Kisire has served as TSC Vice Chairperson since May 21, 2026.
She said the government had provided for the confirmation and recruitment of more than 20,000 teachers, with additional recruitment expected depending on future budget allocations.
The commission advertised 20,000 post-primary teaching vacancies in July as part of a recruitment drive targeting staffing in Junior Schools.
Kisire said the commission had also been implementing promotions while acknowledging challenges affecting teachers under the SHA system.
On healthcare, she said although there had been technical challenges with SHA, the system was operational and efforts were being made to develop frameworks to address emerging problems.
The Eldoret celebrations, held to mark World Teachers’ Day, consequently became more than a ceremonial event, with teachers turning the platform into a direct appeal for improved working conditions, career progression, healthcare and adequate fincing of schools.
READ ALSO: Over 2000 trees planted to commemorate World Teachers day in Baringo
The competing demands from KNUT and KUPPET also exposed continuing tensions over union membership and representation as teachers navigate changes in the education sector.
By Adrian Biwott
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