KUPPET Calls for Urgent Review of 2025-2029 Teachers’ Salary Agreement Over Pay Disparities

The Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) has intensified calls for a review of the 2025-2029 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), arguing that the current salary structure fails to adequately support teachers amid rising living costs.

Speaking on behalf of KUPPET’s Vihiga branch on July 26, 2026, Executive Secretary Charles Otiende highlighted the minimal salary increments, which ranged between 600 and 290 shillings, as insufficient to cushion teachers from economic pressures.

Demand for Fresh Negotiations

KUPPET Secretary-General Akelo Misori is pushing for renewed talks with the government to amend the CBA. The union wants the remaining two phases of salary increments under the agreement to be paid simultaneously to provide meaningful relief to teachers.

"We are requesting the President to engage with the union and amend the CBA to pay the two remaining phases in one installment, ensuring substantial salary increases for teachers," Otiende stated.

Concerns Over SRC Delays

The union also criticized the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) for delaying the review of teachers’ remuneration frameworks, which has hindered efforts to address persistent salary disparities across public service job groups.

Otiende warned, "We urge SRC to expedite the completion of the remuneration document to guide the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) on implementing new salary structures, so teachers feel fairly compensated for their work."

Impact on Teachers and Education Sector

KUPPET maintains that revising the CBA and harmonizing teacher pay with other public servants would enhance educators’ welfare, boost morale, and improve service delivery in schools.

The government, meanwhile, is advancing reforms in education, including recruiting over 100,000 teachers to alleviate staffing shortages and support the phased CBA implementation.

Basic Education Principal Secretary John Ololtuaa affirmed, "The recruitment of more than 100,000 teachers aims to ensure smooth implementation of the CBA and strengthen curriculum delivery through continuous teacher training."

Despite these efforts, KUPPET insists that the current phased salary adjustments do not adequately reflect teachers’ economic realities, underscoring the urgency of reopening negotiations to address these challenges.