TSC Faces Rebellion Over 2025–2029 CBA
Kenya’s education sector is on the verge of disruption as three major teachers’ unions issue a 14-day ultimatum to the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) and the government, demanding action on the delayed 2025–2029 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). If their concerns are not addressed promptly, teachers across the country are set to down their tools once schools reopen.
The unions behind the notice include:
- Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT)
- Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET)
- Kenya Union of Special Needs Education Teachers (KUSNET)
These bodies are demanding the immediate resumption of negotiations on the new CBA, warning that any further delay will lead to a nationwide teachers’ strike.
Background: Why Teachers Are Threatening to Strike
The 2021–2025 CBA is set to expire in just three weeks, yet no steps have been taken to negotiate or budget for a new agreement. Teachers’ representatives have accused the TSC of dragging its feet, despite numerous appeals to initiate talks.
KUPPET Secretary-General Akelo Misori criticized the commission’s silence, noting that although an acting CEO is in place, there is a lack of political goodwill to address teachers’ issues.
“The leadership gap is not the problem. The real issue is the unwillingness to listen to teachers,” Misori stated.
He added that the Commission’s delays are not only frustrating but also risky to the stability of the education system.
Teachers Unions Accuse TSC of Evasion as Budget Omits CBA
KNUT Deputy Secretary-General Hesbon Otieno voiced similar concerns, revealing that CBA proposals were submitted months ago. However, the TSC has cited the need for guidance from the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) as the reason for continued inaction.
What has particularly angered teachers is the fact that the 2025/2026 national budget contains no allocation for a new CBA. Union officials believe this demonstrates a lack of commitment to improving teacher welfare.
“This delay is not a minor bureaucratic hiccup—it is a threat to the morale of educators across the country,” Otieno emphasized.
What Teachers Are Demanding in the 2025–2029 CBA
The unions have proposed several reforms aimed at improving compensation and working conditions for educators, including:
- Salary increases ranging from 30% to 70%
- Introduction of new allowances for various teaching categories
- Career progression reforms for all teacher grades
- Improved terms for teachers in special needs education and marginalized regions
Despite submitting these proposals in good faith, the TSC has yet to schedule or initiate any formal negotiation meetings.
KUSNET Secretary-General James Torome confirmed that the only response from TSC was a vague promise to “respond later,” with no commitment or timeline offered.
Historical Injustice: The Unresolved 1997 CBA
The situation is further complicated by unresolved issues from as far back as 1997, when a previous CBA agreement promised salary adjustments to over 52,000 teachers. Although upheld in court, the agreement was never fully implemented.
According to Nicholas Wafula, Chair of the Retired Teachers Association in Trans Nzoia County, many of the affected teachers have either passed away or are still waiting decades later to receive their legally recognized dues.
“This is a cruel reality. Teachers who gave their lives to the profession have been left to suffer in retirement, chasing compensation that has long been confirmed by the courts,” Wafula said.
Despite a Supreme Court ruling ordering the government to pay Sh43 billion in arrears and pensions, the TSC and the Director of Pensions continue to dispute the number of claimants, delaying the process even further.
Government Response on Outstanding Salary Arrears
In an attempt to ease rising tensions, Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Migos Ogamba recently announced that the government has allocated Sh13.5 billion to settle July and August 2024 salary arrears under the existing 2021–2025 CBA.
Ogamba assured teachers that the government is committed to dialogue and urged unions to remain patient as the country grapples with tough economic conditions.
“We recognize the vital role teachers play in nation-building. Although the government is facing financial constraints, we are committed to ongoing discussions to resolve pending issues,” Ogamba said.
However, teachers’ unions argue that the lack of funding for the new CBA in the current budget suggests that the government is not serious about future engagements.
What Lies Ahead: Possibility of a Nationwide Teachers’ Strike
With the 14-day ultimatum now underway, pressure is mounting on the TSC and government to respond. If no agreement is reached within the set period, unions have made it clear that they will mobilize members for a nationwide strike.
Key Concerns Moving Forward:
- Will the TSC respond before the deadline expires?
- Can the government revise the budget to accommodate teachers’ demands?
- Will teachers’ unions proceed with the planned industrial action?
The unions have warned that continued silence from the TSC could trigger one of the most disruptive strikes in Kenya’s education sector, affecting millions of learners and delaying the academic calendar.
Conclusion
Kenya’s teaching fraternity is unified in demanding fair treatment, timely negotiation, and long-overdue compensation. With past grievances unresolved and future agreements ignored, educators feel cornered—and ready to act. The next two weeks will be critical in determining whether dialogue will prevail or if classrooms across the country will fall silent in protest.
