The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has officially invited the three teacher unions to a consultative meeting on the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) for the 2025–2029 period, after period anxiety from teachers over the delay in pay rise talks.
The Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT), Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET), and Kenya Union of Special Needs Education Teachers (KUSNET) both received invitations signed by the acting TSC Secretary and Chief Executive Officer, Evaleen J. Mitei, yesterday June 24, 2025.
The negotiations have been scheduled for different days and dates between July 1, 2025 to July 2, 2025 at the Commission Chairman’s Boardroom in Nairobi.
“The Commission invites you to a consultative meeting on CBA 2025–2029 on Wednesday, July 2, 2025, at 10.00 am at the Commission Chairman’s Boardroom,” read an official invitation from TSC that was send to one of the unions.
KNUT is demanding for a 60 per cent basic salary increase and 30 per cent increase in all the allowances with a number of non-monetary benefits for teachers which include compensation for working on public holidays, an extension of sick leave to 12 months with full or partial pay, increased maternity and paternity leave durations to 120 and 21 working days, respectively instead of current calendar days, and annual leave allowances equivalent to a month’s salary to be paid before teachers proceed on leave.
KUPPET on the other hand is pushing for 50 to 100 per cent basic salary increase where 50 per be for the highest cadre while 100 per cent for the lowest cadre of teachers, with the union arguing that the analysis of salary increments between the 2016-2021 and 2021-2025 CBAs reveals that the increases for teachers have been minimal, particularly when considering the challenging economic conditions over the past eight years.
The union is also demanding for a harmonized house allowance across the country where it has proposed a 20 per cent increase across all the grades for house allowance, and a revision of the daily subsistence allowance among other benefits.
KUSNET on its part is demanding differentiated salary increments with 40 per cent for Principals and School Heads (Grades D1-D5) and 50 per cent for lower cadre teachers (B5 –C5). It also wants a risk allowance of Shs.15,000 monthly, and a uniform allowance of Shs.15,000 annually for members citing their quasi-nursing roles that require protective gear.
Additionally, the union has called for a 50 per cent increase in all other allowances, and an expansion of hardship areas, warning that any adjustments to the hardship policy must go through courts.
The invitation for talks by TSC come just days after KUPPET had issued a seven-day ultimatum demanding that the TSC commence negotiations for a new CBA. The union, expressing growing frustration, had already written to Labour and Social Protection Cabinet Secretary Dr Alfred Mutua, citing the Commission’s silence despite an earlier formal request to open talks.
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KUPPET officials had raised the alarm over the impending expiry of the current CBA, signed on July 13, 2021, which lapsed on June 30, 2025. They have warned that teachers risk working without a valid agreement if a new deal is not signed before the deadline.
“We are disappointed by the Commission’s silence on such a crucial matter. It undermines the very essence of improving teachers’ welfare and morale,” said Akello Misori, KUPPET Secretary General, during a press briefing in Kakamega.
“Failure to respond to our letter or begin talks in time will force us to withdraw services,” Misori warned, stressing the union’s readiness to escalate the issue.
The 2025–2029 CBA, once concluded, is expected to guide salary reviews, promotions, and general terms of service for thousands of post-primary educators across the country for a period of four years, commencing in July 2025.
The upcoming meeting is viewed as a crucial step towards preventing industrial unrest and ensuring continuity in the education sector.
By Roy Hezron and Joseph Mambili
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