Kenyan Teachers Threaten A Nationwide Strike, Gives Ultimatums

Learning in public schools across Kenya faces imminent disruption as teachers threaten to down their tools beginning Monday, July 7, 2025, unless the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) initiates urgent talks on a new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).

The looming crisis was triggered by stalled negotiations between the Commission and the Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT), whose officials have now issued a one-week ultimatum for action.

KNUT Secretary General Collins Oyuu, addressing journalists on Tuesday afternoon outside the TSC headquarters in Nairobi, expressed deep frustration over what he termed as the Commission’s reluctance to engage in meaningful dialogue regarding the 2025–2029 CBA. He accused TSC of deliberately frustrating the process even after the previous agreement lapsed on June 30, 2025.

According to Oyuu, the union had been invited for talks scheduled for July 1, 2025, following months of silence from the Commission. However, the highly anticipated meeting collapsed before it could even begin, after TSC reportedly declined to entertain key demands presented by KNUT.

These included a 60% minimum salary increase, a 30% increment on all teacher allowances, and the establishment of a fair and transparent promotion framework, especially for classroom teachers who are not in administrative roles.

“Teachers are not going to entertain a non-monetary CBA this time. We have suffered for too long under agreements that fail to address the real financial struggles of educators. If TSC does not meet our demands within seven days, we will call for a nationwide strike starting July 7,” Oyuu warned.

He further emphasized that the union was not merely demanding for salary increments but also pushing for professional respect, equity in promotions, and fair treatment across all cadres of teachers.

Oyuu accused the Teachers Service Commission of failing to demonstrate goodwill by walking out of the July 1 meeting without addressing the issues tabled by KNUT. This, he said, was a clear signal that the Commission was not ready to negotiate in good faith.

“The current CBA expired on June 30. We were ready for dialogue, but TSC showed us they are not. It is unfortunate that the employer is dragging its feet while teachers across the country wait In anxiety. This is unacceptable,” Oyuu added.

The breakdown of talks has sparked renewed agitation among teachers, many of whom were hopeful that the new agreement would bring tangible financial relief amid the rising cost of living. The Union insists that unless TSC shows commitment by resuming negotiations and considering their proposals, the learning calendar will be disrupted.

KNUT’s strong stance has been echoed by the Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET), which had earlier issued its own warning to TSC. On June 21, KUPPET Chairperson Omboko Milemba gave the Commission a deadline of June 28 to invite them for talks regarding the same CBA.

“TSC should treat this matter with the urgency it deserves. The Labour Cabinet Secretary must also intervene and ensure that these negotiations are initiated without delay,” said Milemba.

KUPPET’s Secretary General Akello Misori added that the new CBA is not just about financial compensation, but also about recognizing and addressing the welfare of educators who have been left behind in past agreements. According to Misori, an inclusive and comprehensive agreement is long overdue and would serve as a key motivation for teachers across the country.

The unions insist that the new CBA must not repeat the shortcomings of past agreements, which were either delayed or failed to deliver substantive benefits to teachers. In the last cycle, many educators received non-monetary benefits, which unions argue did little to improve their living standards.

As the clock ticks toward the July 7 deadline, the pressure continues to mount on TSC to act decisively. If no progress is made within the seven-day window issued by KNUT, over 300,000 public school teachers could participate in the nationwide strike, paralyzing learning activities in both primary and secondary schools.

Parents, learners, and other education stakeholders are now anxiously watching the unfolding standoff, with many calling on the government to urgently intervene and forestall a crisis that could derail the academic calendar.

For now, all eyes are on the Teachers Service Commission and whether it will heed the warning and return to the negotiating table before the strike begins.

Read Also: Kenyan Teachers Set For Salary Increase As TSC Launches CBA 2025–2029 Negotiations