TSC engages Teachers’ unions on salary and allowances negotiations in the new 2025–2029 CBA.

TSC involves Teachers’ unions in salary and allowances discussions regarding the new 2025–2029 CBA.

Discussions between the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) and the teachers’ unions in Kenya—specifically the Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) and the Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET)—are escalating as the current non-monetary Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) nears its end on June 30, 2025.

The unions are pushing for significant salary hikes and improved allowances in the upcoming 2025–2029 CBA.

Union Demands

KNUT is advocating for a 60% increase in the basic salary, pointing to the previous CBAs’ inadequacies in dealing with the rising living costs.

KUPPET is requesting a basic salary raise between 50% and 100%, as well as the establishment of a risk allowance especially for science teachers.

Proposed Allowance Enhancements

Both unions are requesting:

Overtime Compensation: Guaranteed monetary compensation or overtime pay for teachers who work on public holidays.
Hardship Allowances: Extra compensation for teachers in arid, semi-arid, and challenging-to-staff areas.

Acting Allowances: Compensation for teachers serving in acting roles, such as deputy headteachers or department heads, who have yet to be formally appointed.

Recent Developments

In August 2024, the TSC rolled out the second phase of the 2021–2025 CBA, which featured salary increases ranging from 2. 4% to 9. 5%. These increases were retroactive to July 1, 2024, and included allowances such as commuter, house, leave, and hardship, amounting between Ksh 3,850 and Ksh 50,000 depending on the job group.

However, the unions have voiced their dissatisfaction with these revisions, arguing that they do not meet the recommendations of the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC). As a result, they have issued strike notices, demanding the complete realization of the 2021–2025 CBA, payment of salary arrears, and initiation of negotiations for the 2026–2030 CBA.

Legislative Efforts

A proposal has been put forward to modify the Teachers Service Commission Act, intending to create a structured framework for teacher allowances. This legislation aims to guarantee fairness and transparency in the management of teachers’ benefits, echoing the unions’ calls for predictable and equitable compensation.

As discussions progress, the results will substantially affect the well-being of teachers throughout Kenya. Stakeholders are keenly observing developments to ensure that the upcoming CBA addresses the enduring issues faced by educators.