KUPPET Rejects New Teacher Salaries as Union Claims Educators Earn Up to 60% Less Than Other Public Servants
The Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) has rejected the latest salary adjustments proposed by the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC), arguing that the increments fail to address what it describes as a widening pay disparity between teachers and other public servants.
Union officials say teachers in comparable job groups continue to earn significantly less than their counterparts in the wider public service, despite performing roles within the same government system. KUPPET claims that, in some salary grades, teachers receive up to 60 per cent less than civil servants holding equivalent positions.
Speaking at the union’s Nairobi headquarters, KUPPET Secretary-General Akello Misori accused the government of maintaining an unfair remuneration structure that disadvantages teachers.
“In higher job groups alone, civil servants earn even double the pay offered by the Teachers Service Commission,” Misori said.
The union also criticised the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) over what it termed limited career progression for teachers, arguing that educators face a lower ceiling for promotions compared to other public servants.
According to Misori, teachers are capped at salary grade D5, while the broader public service allows progression to E4, leaving senior educators with fewer opportunities for advancement.
“This is in addition to the irregular cap of career progression within the TSC at salary grade D5, which is five grades below the seniormost public service grade of E4,” he added.
The latest dispute comes after teachers expressed disappointment with the salary review approved for the 2026/2027 financial year, insisting that it falls short of the expectations set under Phase II of the 2025–2029 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).
KUPPET argues that the pay increase has been largely offset by statutory deductions and the rising cost of living, leaving many teachers with little improvement in their take-home pay.
Union Chairperson Omboko Milemba called on the Salaries and Remuneration Commission to fully implement President William Ruto’s directive on reviewing the teachers’ CBA, saying the process should be completed within one or two phases.
“We come back to demand for harmonisation of salaries in this sector, because this is the public sector. Quickly revise our salaries, and indeed the TSC must be put on notice, because the President ordered the commission to revise the teachers’ CBA and pay it in one or two phases,” Milemba said.
Beyond the salary dispute, KUPPET also raised concerns over delayed payments for teachers who supervised the 2025 national examinations, noting that examiners have already received their allowances while centre managers and other education personnel are still waiting.
The union urged the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) to fast-track payments to centre managers, Teachers Training Colleges examiners and all other officers involved in administering the examinations.
KUPPET further criticised the implementation of the Social Health Authority (SHA), claiming that many teachers continue to spend their own money on medical services that should be covered under the national health scheme.
The union warned that unless the concerns surrounding salaries, career progression, unpaid examination allowances and healthcare are addressed, dissatisfaction among teachers is likely to persist as negotiations with the government continue.
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