KNUT gives TSC one-week ultimatum after salary talks stall

By Newsflash Writer

Efforts to negotiate a new pay deal between the Kenya National Union of Teachers (Knut) and the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) collapsed on Monday, prompting the union to issue a seven-day ultimatum demanding a formal salary counter-offer.

The impasse emerged after TSC officials failed to present any proposals during a scheduled meeting to discuss the 2025–2029 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).

Shortly after the meeting fell apart, Knut officials addressed the press, accusing the TSC of engaging in talks without preparation and frustrating the negotiation process. “We are giving the Teachers Service Commission seven days to respond with a counter-offer.

If they don’t, it won’t be business as usual,” declared Knut Secretary-General Collins Oyuu. “They invited us, we showed up ready, but there was nothing on the table—no game could even begin.”

The union has tabled a 60 percent increase in basic salary and a 30 percent hike in all allowances, alongside a raft of non-financial demands. These include comprehensive reforms to the Career Progression Guidelines (CPG), promotions for long-serving teachers, improved medical coverage, expanded hardship allowances, and enhanced professional development plans.

KNUT rejects empty engagements

Oyuu criticized the TSC for what he termed “symbolic meetings” devoid of meaningful engagement. “This is not the time for playing games. Teachers are tired and want the truth. The Commission should understand we’ve been waiting too long,” he said. “All stakeholders came prepared today, yet we seemed to be starting from zero. That is unacceptable.”

He emphasized the need for serious engagement, warning TSC that teachers expect nothing less than a structured and focused discussion. “We’re not interested in their internal preparedness. What matters is that teachers deserve deliberate, result-driven negotiations. That has to be the focus going forward,” said Oyuu.

Dismissing TSC’s emphasis on non-monetary matters as unproductive, Oyuu argued that financial discussions must take precedence. “In every CBA negotiation before, the employer started with a monetary proposal. What we’re asking is clear: a 60 percent rise in salaries and 30 percent for allowances,” he stated.

Knut’s non-financial demands are equally significant. The union is pushing for reforms to the CPG, which it says has left many teachers stagnating without promotions. “There is no career progression under the current framework. That must be overhauled,” Oyuu insisted. He also raised concerns about teachers being forced to pay medical expenses out-of-pocket, despite being covered by insurance.

No more cashless deals, Knut warns

Oyuu reminded the TSC of the last CBA cycle, which resulted in a non-monetary agreement, citing the Covid-19 pandemic as justification. “That deal offered nothing tangible to teachers. We didn’t sign it out of enthusiasm, but because of the national crisis,” he said. “But this time, no one should act like a saint. Teachers are suffering, and their pain must be acknowledged and addressed.”

He warned that teachers will no longer accept symbolic support from politicians unless it translates into action. “Let those in power stop pretending to be friends of teachers. We need real, meaningful support—not words,” Oyuu declared.

In a separate interview, Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (Kuppet) Deputy Secretary-General Moses Nthurima confirmed that their union is also pushing for a significant pay adjustment. “Our proposal ranges between 50 and 100 percent to correct long-standing pay inequalities in the teaching profession,” said Nthurima.

The TSC is expected to meet with Kuppet officials today, even as pressure mounts for the government to respond to the rising discontent among educators nationwide.