Teachers across Kenya have rejected the second phase of salary increases under the 2025–2029 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), saying the adjustment is too small to make a meaningful difference amid rising living costs.
The dissatisfaction follows a directive by the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) to implement the second phase of the four-year agreement from July 1, 2026.
According to teachers, the actual increase reflected in their salaries ranges between KSh693 and KSh2,055, depending on their job grade and salary scale.
Although the government allocated KSh8.4 billion to fund the second phase of the agreement, teachers say statutory deductions have significantly reduced the amount reaching their bank accounts, leaving them with little improvement compared to their previous earnings.
A teacher in Nairobi said a teacher in Job Group C3 was expected to receive an increase of KSh2,055 before deductions, including Pay as You Earn (PAYE), Social Health Authority (SHA) contributions, Housing Levy and National Social Security Fund (NSSF) deductions.
“The amount that remains after deductions is too small and cannot even make a significant contribution towards repaying a SACCO loan,” the teacher said.
The four-year CBA is valued at KSh33.75 billion and covers salary adjustments as well as measures aimed at improving teachers’ welfare.
However, many teachers say the final outcome has fallen short of expectations created during negotiations between their unions and the government.
KUPPET Vihiga Branch Secretary Sabala Inyeni said the salary adjustment failed to take into account inflation and the rising cost of transport.
“Transport allowances have remained unchanged for more than 15 years despite the continued increase in fuel prices. This increment does not reflect the current realities facing teachers,” Inyeni said.
Teachers working in hardship and arid areas have also expressed disappointment after hardship allowances were not reviewed.
Ndung’u Wangenye, a representative of teachers serving in hardship areas, said some teachers received increases of less than KSh500 despite working in challenging environments.
“Teachers in arid areas feel neglected. Hardship allowances are what encourage them to continue working in those regions, but they have not been addressed,” he said.
KUPPET Deputy Secretary-General Moses Nthurima said many teachers remain dissatisfied with the outcome of the CBA negotiations.
“Through deductions such as SHA, Housing Levy, NSSF contributions and taxes, the government has taken more money than what teachers have gained through the salary increase. That is why many teachers do not feel the impact of the increment,” Nthurima said.
Teachers’ unions are now calling for a review of allowances and salary structures to ensure future adjustments reflect economic realities and the rising cost of living.
