TSC Fails to Table Counter-Offer as Teacher Unions Demand Immediate Pay Review in 2025–2029 CBA Negotiations

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TSC Fails to Table Counter-Offer as Teacher Unions Demand Immediate Pay Review in 2025–2029 CBA Negotiations.

The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has asked for more time to consult with relevant government agencies before responding to salary and allowance proposals submitted by the Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) and the Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) and therefore the 2025–2029 CBA will not be finalised by June 30, 2025.

A meeting held in Nairobi on Wednesday, June 25, 2025 between TSC commissioners and KUPPET officials did not agree on anything as the Commission said it had not concluded consultations with the National Treasury and the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC). The Commission will respond by July 20, 2025.

In a statement issued after the meeting, KUPPET Secretary-General Akelo Misori confirmed that the union had submitted its proposals on August 30, 2024 and reiterated that a new CBA must have financial benefits.

“There is no deal yet. We don’t want to go back home with a cashless CBA. TSC asked for more time for consultations,” said Mr. Misori.

KUPPET National Chairman Omboko Milemba, also Member of Parliament for Emuhaya, urged the Commission to give a substantive offer saying that long outstanding issues like salary stagnation, acting allowances and harmonisation of career progression frameworks must be addressed.

“More than 99,000 teachers have stagnated in their job groups. This is unacceptable. These teachers have served diligently yet their career growth has been ignored for many years,” said Mr. Milemba.

KUPPET’s proposal includes:

• 50 to 100% increase in basic salary across all teaching grades
• 20% increase in house allowances across job clusters
• 200 to 250% increase in commuter allowances
• Retention and expansion of hardship allowances to additional regions as recommended by Parliament
• Acting allowances for teachers holding extra responsibilities
• Harmonisation of career progression guidelines for equitable advancement

Under the salary component of the proposal:* B5 teachers (lowest paid) would get KES 29,787 to KES 59,574

• D5 teachers (highest paid) would get KES 162,539 to KES 325,078

For house allowances:

• B5 would get KES 3,850 to KES 4,620
• D5 would get KES 8,100

For commuter allowances:

• Lowest paid would get KES 4,000 to KES 14,000
• Highest grade would get KES 16,000 to KES 48,000

On June 24, 2025, KNUT met with the Commission and got no counter offer. KNUT Secretary-General Collins Oyuu said the union had given the Commission 7 days to come up with a substantive response.

“We will not accept a non-monetary CBA. Teachers have suffered inequality in terms of remuneration for almost 6 years,” said Mr. Oyuu.

The unions say the 2021-2025 CBA which was largely non-monetary due to the COVID-19 pandemic lapsed on June 30, 2025. They argue that current economic situation demands an urgent review to address disparities, stagnation and deteriorating working conditions.

TSC has not issued a statement on the status of the internal consultations or whether they will meet the July 20 deadline.

In the meantime, both KUPPET and KNUT have asked their members to be patient and wait for the outcome of the negotiations. But KUPPET warned that failure to deliver a financial deal by the promised date will escalate the situation.

“We are created to negotiate not to stand off. If this does not happen then even the media know the consequences,” said Mr. Misori.

The CBA being negotiated will cover 2025-2029 and its implementation will start after July 30, 2025 subject to agreement and approval by all the relevant state organs.

TSC Fails to Table Counter-Offer as Teacher Unions Demand Immediate Pay Review in 2025–2029 CBA Negotiations.