By [Kevin Koech] July 13, 2025
A high-stakes showdown is brewing between the Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (Kuppet) and the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) as negotiations for the 2025–2029 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) hit a critical impasse.
Kuppet has issued a stern warning to the TSC, demanding that any counter-proposal must include substantial monetary benefits—or face the possibility of a nationwide teachers strike.
The union’s leadership has accused the TSC of delaying tactics, even as the deadline for the current CBA lapsed on June 30, 2025. With teachers growing increasingly impatient, Kuppet has vowed not to accept another non-monetary deal like the one signed during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Kuppet’s Ultimatum: “Bring Money or Face Strike”
Speaking during a National Governing Council meeting in Nairobi, Kuppet Secretary General Akelo Misori declared that teachers are “done with empty promises.”
“TSC should bring the counteroffer as this delay is causing anxiety. The economy has improved, inflation has gone down, and now teachers want money,” Misori said.
His sentiments were echoed by Kuppet National Chairman Omboko Milemba, who recalled the backlash the union faced after the 2021–2025 CBA, which was largely non-monetary.
“Our members have told us not to accept another similar deal. This time, we are pushing for real financial commitments,” Milemba warned.
Kuppet’s Key Demands in the 2025 CBA
The union has submitted a bold list of demands, including:
- **A *30% to 70% salary increase* for all teachers.**
- A 100% hike in selected allowances, including hardship and commuter allowances.
- Reduction of CBA duration from four years to two to allow for more frequent salary reviews.
- Abolition of the Career Progression Guidelines (CPG), which Kuppet claims favors administrators over classroom teachers.
- An end to “acting appointments” without pay—a practice affecting over 99,000 teachers.
- Expansion of hardship zones instead of the government’s plan to reduce them.
TSC’s Silence Fuels Strike Fears
The TSC has yet to present its counteroffer, citing the need for further consultations with other government agencies. However, Kuppet views this as a stalling tactic and has warned that teachers’ patience is wearing thin.
“If TSC thinks they can drag this process until teachers give up, they are mistaken. We will not hesitate to issue a Kuppet strike notice if our demands are ignored,” a senior union official told Teachers Arena.
Hardship Allowances: A New Battlefront
Another contentious issue is the government’s plan to reduce hardship zones—a move Kuppet has termed “ill-conceived.”
The union argues that insecurity, human-wildlife conflict, and marginalization have worsened living conditions in many regions not currently classified as hardship areas.
“Instead of reducing hardship zones, the government should expand them from the current 44. Teachers in these areas face extreme challenges and deserve fair compensation,” said Misori.
Junior Secondary Schools (JSS) in the Spotlight
Kuppet is also pushing for JSS to be established as standalone institutions, arguing that the current arrangement under primary schools has led to staffing confusion and inefficiencies.
“JSS teachers are facing unclear job descriptions and poor working conditions. The government must address this urgently,” Milemba stated.
7-Day Ultimatum on Capitation Funds
In a separate but related development, Kuppet has given the government a 7-day ultimatum to release delayed school capitation funds.
“If the funds are not released within a week, we will direct school heads to send learners home,” warned Misori.
This threat raises the specter of another schools’ crisis, coming just months after a similar standoff over unpaid fees.
Will Teachers Down Their Tools?
With tensions escalating, the possibility of a teachers strike looms large. The last major strike in 2015 paralyzed learning for weeks, and Kuppet’s latest warnings suggest history could repeat itself.
“Teachers are tired of being taken for granted. If TSC fails to act, we will have no choice but to strike,” a union representative told Teachers Arena.
What’s Next?
All eyes are now on the TSC’s next move. Will the commission table a financial counteroffer, or will Kenya face another bruising teachers’ strike?
For now, Kuppet’s message is clear: “No money, no deal“
