TSC invites Teachers’ Unions for 2025-2029 CBA Talks

The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has called for discussions with teacher unions regarding the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) for the period 2025-2029. This invitation comes shortly after the Kenya Union of Post Primary School Teachers (KUPPET) announced a seven-day strike notice due to stalled negotiations over the CBA.

In a circular sent to KUPPET’s Secretary General, Akelo Misori, TSC Acting CEO Eveleen Mitei has proposed a meeting with union representatives early next week to discuss the CBA. The meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, July 2, 2025, at 10:00 AM in the Commission Chairman’s Boardroom.

Teachers’ unions have warned that learning in public schools could be disrupted if negotiations for a new CBA, which would include salary increases for teachers, do not progress. This warning comes as the current CBA for 2021-2025 is set to expire on June 30.

Additionally, the 2025-2026 budget does not include provisions for salary increases for teachers, exacerbating the situation. The current CBA will end on June 30, and the Kenya National Union of Teachers (Knut), KUPPET, and the Kenya Union of Special Needs Education Teachers (Kusnet) have all urged the TSC to start negotiations immediately or risk industrial action.

Knut’s deputy secretary, Hesbon Otieno, stated, “We submitted our proposals months ago, but instead of engaging, the TSC continues to hide behind the excuse of waiting for advice from the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC).”

On May 13, senior TSC officials presented the 2025-2026 budget estimates to the National Assembly Education Committee, revealing that no funds had been allocated for the ongoing CBA negotiations. TSC’s finance director, Cheptumo Ayabei, noted that key areas, including financial requirements for the CBA, are not funded in the budget.

Knut is seeking a 60 percent increase in basic salaries over the four-year period, based on inflation, along with a 30 percent rise in allowances. KUPPET’s Secretary General, Akelo Misori, expressed frustration over the lack of communication, stating that the acting CEO, Evaleen Jesang Mitei, needs to initiate talks.

Kusnet Secretary General James Torome mentioned that the union has not received any updates from the TSC since July 2024, when the commission acknowledged receipt of their proposals.