KNUT Pushes For Massive Teachers’ Pay Rise: In New CBA Demands
The Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) has formally submitted a bold proposal to the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC), seeking a 60% increase in teachers’ salaries and a 30% hike in all allowances as part of the upcoming 2025–2029 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) with the Teachers Service Commission (TSC). The new agreement is expected to take effect from July 1, 2025.
This demand, if implemented, would mark one of the most significant pay adjustments for educators in recent years.
KNUT’s Position: Nothing Less Than 60% Will Be Accepted
KNUT, which represents thousands of teachers, especially in primary schools, has reiterated that the union will not settle for anything short of its proposal. Deputy Secretary General Hesbon Otieno made it clear during a recent funeral service for a former union leader in Kirinyaga County that the union is prepared to resort to industrial action if their demands are not met.
“Teachers will not accept anything less than 60 per cent on salaries and 30 per cent on allowances,” Otieno warned. “Failure to do that, we will take industrial action. The Teachers Service Commission should take us seriously.”
This firm stance sets the stage for potentially tense negotiations between the union and the TSC ahead of the expiration of the current CBA on 30th June 2025.
Why KNUT is Pushing for Higher Pay
KNUT officials argue that teachers have been chronically underpaid, despite playing a crucial role in delivering quality education across the country. Inflation, rising cost of living, and increasing job responsibilities have eroded teachers’ earnings, making a substantial pay rise both timely and necessary.
Additionally, the union emphasizes that the proposed increases are not just about salaries but also cover key allowances such as:
- House Allowance
- Hardship Allowance
- Commuter Allowance
- Medical Allowance
These adjustments, according to KNUT, will ensure equity and dignity for educators working in diverse conditions across Kenya.
Hardship Allowance Withdrawals Spark Outrage
KNUT has strongly condemned recent moves by the government to withdraw hardship allowances from certain regions, citing this as an injustice to teachers serving in difficult and marginalized areas.
Union leaders insist that teachers stationed in insecure or underdeveloped locations face unique challenges and deserve continued financial compensation.
“We fought hard for hardship allowances, and we will not allow them to be taken away,” said First Vice Chairman Joseph Langat, who highlighted worsening insecurity in areas like Kerio Valley in Elgeyo-Marakwet County.
Langat also urged Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen to scale up security efforts to protect both learners and teachers, especially in volatile regions.
Call for Timely Free Primary Education (FPE) Funding
KNUT has also raised concerns about irregular funding of the Free Primary Education programme. The union is urging the government to adhere strictly to the capitation policy, which mandates:
- 50% disbursement in Term 1
- 30% in Term 2
- 20% in Term 3
Late or incomplete funding, KNUT argues, undermines school operations and affects learning outcomes.
“Schools can’t function without proper financing. We want capitation funds released on time, as per policy,” said Otieno.
CBA Negotiations: SRC’s Role and Next Steps
With the proposal already submitted to the SRC, KNUT is now awaiting the commission’s official advisory before engaging in formal negotiations with the TSC.
The union is hopeful that the 2025/2026 financial year budget will include allocations that accommodate its demands, especially as teachers continue to suffer from salary stagnation and career progression delays.
If accepted, the new CBA would benefit over 300,000 teachers in Kenya, improving not only their earnings but also motivation, morale, and ultimately the quality of education delivered in public schools.
Teachers React: Hope, Demands for Action
The union’s tough stance has been welcomed by many teachers, who believe it’s high time their compensation reflects the realities on the ground.
Some teachers have called for:
- Swift agreement between KNUT and TSC to avoid classroom disruptions
- Better implementation mechanisms to ensure that signed CBAs are fully honored
- Equity in allowances, especially for teachers in high-risk and underserved regions
Final Word: Time for TSC to Act
As the June 30 expiry date for the current CBA looms, all eyes are now on the TSC and SRC. Will they honor KNUT’s call for fair compensation, or will the country’s education sector face another wave of industrial unrest?
KNUT remains clear: failure to act will result in nationwide strikes.
“This is not a threat,” Otieno said. “It’s a promise to our members that we will fight for what they deserve.”
