Kenyan Teachers Announce Strike After Failed Government Talks

The ongoing negotiations between the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) and the teachers' unions have reached an impasse, raising the prospect of a looming strike.

The recent talks, held at the Kenya School of Government in Lower Kabete, aimed to avert the industrial action but the unions have rejected the employer's offer deeming it insufficient to address their demands. The central issue at hand is the implementation of Phase II of the 2021-2025 collective bargaining agreement (CBA). While the TSC proposed to move forward with this phase, the Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (Kuppet) and the Kenya National Union of Teachers (Knut) have maintained that this does not adequately address their broader concerns.

The unions have been steadfast in their demands which include the full implementation of the CBA, the settlement of salary arrears for July and August, and the commencement of negotiations for the 2026-2030 CBA. Knut Secretary General Collins Oyuu emphasizes that anything short of these requirements would be unacceptable to the unions. The government has taken an active role in attempting to resolve the dispute with President William Ruto directing the National Treasury and the TSC to collaborate and find a solution that will prevent the strike. This latest round of negotiations is just one in a series of ongoing efforts to address the long-standing pay dispute between the TSC and the teachers' unions.

The unions have consistently rejected previous offers, arguing that they fall short of the recommendations made by the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC). The potential impact of the strike is substantial as it would further disrupt the already challenging learning environment in public schools. The unions have warned that the strike will continue until their demands are met. Reactions to the impasse have been mixed, with some stakeholders expressing support for the teachers' demands and others calling for a more balanced approach to avoid further disruption to the education system.