The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has invited teacher unions for a round table talks on the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) 2025 – 2029.
The invitation comes just two days after the Kenya Union of Post Primary School Teachers (KUPPET) issued a seven day strike notice over stalled CBA talks.
In a circular addressed to Kuppet secretary general, Akelo Misori, TSC Acting CEO Eveleen Mitei wants to meet the union officials early next week for a CBA consultative meeting.
“The Commission invites you to a consultative meeting on CBA 2025 – 2029 on Wednesday 2nd July, 2025 at 10:00am at the Commission Chairmans’ Boardroom,” says Mitei in the circular.
Teachers’ unions had warned of disruptions to learning in public schools following a deadlock over negotiations for a new CBA, with the government that would see teachers’ salaries raised.
The warning had come at a time when CBA 2021 – 2025 is set to expire on 30th June.
To compound the problem, there was no provision for improved salaries for teachers in the 2025 -2026 budget.
The current CBA will expire on June 30. The Kenya National Union of Teachers (Knut), Kuppet, and the Kenya Union of Special Needs Education Teachers (Kusnet) had all issued firm demands to the TSC, urging the employer to begin negotiations immediately or face industrial action.
“We submitted our proposals months ago, but instead of engaging, the TSC continues to hide behind
the ‘waiting for advice from the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC)’ as an excuse’,” said Knut deputy secretary Hesbon Otieno.
Senior officials of the TSC appeared before the National Assembly Education Committee on May 13
to present the 2025 – 2026 budget estimates, only to reveal that no funds had been allocated for another CBA.
“Key areas that are not funded at all in the 2025 – 2026 budget for the TSC include the financial requirement for the CBA that is under negotiation,” said Cheptumo Ayabei, TSC’s director of finance.
Knut is demanding a 60 percent adjustment in basic salaries over the four-year period, pegged on inflation, alongside a 30 percent increase in allowances.
Kuppet secretary-general Akelo Misori had expressed his concern over the lack of engagement.
“The commission is fully constituted and what we now need is for the acting CEO, Evaleen Jesang Mitei to initiate talks” he said.
Kusnet secretary-general James Torome, said the union has not received any update from the TSC since
July 2024, when the commission acknowledged receiving their proposals.