Dj Vnyash
Labour Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua met with officials from the National Steering Council of the Kenya National Union of Teachers (Knut) on Tuesday to discuss preventing a potential nationwide teachers’ strike over the non-implementation of their Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). The union’s delegation was led by Secretary General Collins Oyuu and National Chairman Patrick Munuhe.
Mutua noted that the union highlighted several important issues, including delays in implementing the second phase of the 2021 CBA, which included a promised salary increase of 7% to 9%.
On August 7, Knut and its counterpart, the Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (Kuppet), issued a seven-day notice for the government to address various concerns raised by teachers, warning that a strike could commence on August 26 if their demands were not met.
The unions stated, “Kuppet and Knut have today joined forces to demand the immediate resolution of six issues causing unrest among our members.” They called for the full implementation of the 2021-2025 CBA, which was signed in June 2021 and amended in August 2023.
Knut and Kuppet accused the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) of violating the agreement by not implementing the second phase of the Addendum, effective July 1, 2024, which affects all teachers, including their basic salaries and allowances. The unions also demanded the promotion of 130,000 teachers who have been stagnating and the recruitment of 20,000 teachers on permanent and pensionable terms to address the significant deficit in Junior Secondary Schools.
During the meeting, Mutua addressed concerns regarding the teachers’ medical scheme, the non-remittance of Sacco and loan deductions, and delays in retirement benefit payments. He assured the union leaders of his commitment to finding quick resolutions to these issues and pledged to work with his Cabinet colleagues and relevant government bodies to address their concerns.
Mutua emphasized that the meeting reflects the government’s broader efforts to protect workers’ interests and maintain cordial industrial relations. Principal Secretary for Labour, Shadrack Mwadime, also attended the meeting.
There are growing concerns that teachers may not receive the salary increases outlined in their CBA after the government cut the TSC’s recurrent budget by Sh10.2 billion. The National Assembly’s Departmental Committee on Education, chaired by Julius Melly, warned that this situation could lead to strikes and disruptions in public schools, as well as potential legal actions.
“The government may not want to deal with industrial unrest at this time, given the current tense situation in the country, which underscores the need to ensure this allocation is provided,” the committee advised.
Mutua announced plans to hold another meeting with Knut representatives in a week to assess progress and continue discussions to maintain industrial peace.
Silverio Omari
