By KPC Reporter
The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has signed a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) with the three national teachers’ unions aimed at improving the welfare of over 400,000 teachers across the country.
Teachers’ unions in the picture are the Kenya Union of Teachers (KNUT), Kenya Union of Post Primary Teachers (KUPPET) and Kenya Union of Special Needs Education Teachers (KUSNET).
Unveiled at the Kenya Institute of Special Education, the 2025–2029 CBA introduces sweeping changes to teachers’ pay and benefits, including a salary increase of up to 29.5%, a move meant to narrow disparities between the lowest and highest paid teachers.
According to the TSC, the first phase of the agreement will take effect from July 1, 2025, costing Ksh.8.4 billion, with an additional Ksh.1.2 billion channeled into pension contributions and statutory deductions.
The billions
The full four-year package is valued at Ksh.33.75 billion, underscoring a significant investment in human capital within the education sector.
Other notable reforms include baggage allowance increases across all grades, with new rates ranging from Ksh.43 to Ksh.80 per kilometer.
Lactating teachers have also been granted two hours of daily time-off for two months to breastfeed.
Also, teachers dismissed from service will retain access to pension benefits, in the new arrangement.
The Commission is planning to conduct a Job Evaluation exercise in the 2025/2026 financial year, which will inform future career progression guidelines.
TSC Chairperson Dr. Jamleck Muturi John credited the unions for their commitment to dialogue and emphasized that the agreement was a step toward building a motivated and globally competitive teaching workforce.
In a statement, Dr. Muturi thanked teachers for their patience during the negotiation process and pledged continued dedication to improving their working conditions.