KNUT Accepts TSC Salary Increase Offer, Calls on KUPPET to Accept Proposal
Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT), which had initially demanded an increase of over 60 percent, retreated after meeting with Teachers Service Commission officials and reluctantly accepted the offer.
KNUT welcomed the range of 2.4% to 9.5% salary increases.
KNUT clarified that there was no reduction in the proposed increments, highlighting that the 2.4% raise would be allocated to the highest earners, while the 9.5% raise would benefit the lowest earners.
Collins Oyuu, secretary general of the Kenya National Union of Teachers, argued that TSC had acknowledged the challenges teachers face. However, the commission claimed it was financially constrained and therefore unable to increase compensation.
The leader of KNUT defended TSC and President William Ruto’s administration, stating that the State has been extremely considerate in preparing and distributing salary increases.
Oyuu urged their KUPPET counterparts to enter into negotiations and accept the salary increase that Lyn Mengich’s Salaries and Remuneration Commission had proposed.
“I don’t think it is right to claim that the Teachers Service Commission has deducted some money that belongs to the teachers. That is not true,” Oyuu countered KUPPET.
KNUT also requested that the Salaries and Remuneration Commission revise the initial proposal to provide teachers with greater long-term benefits.
Oyuu made it clear that they would not entertain any proposals put forward by the Salaries and Remuneration Commission.
He emphasized that the purpose of negotiations would be undermined if the initial suggestions were not upheld. As he had mentioned earlier, Oyuu reiterated that the 7 to 10 percent increment should be a subject of negotiation between the unions and the employer.
In contrast, KUPPET warned that it would retaliate if the government failed to present an enticing proposal for the teachers.
Teachers in the lowest TSC grade, B5, earn approximately Ksh21,756, while those in the highest grades, C3, C4, and C5, earn over Ksh43,154.
Principals and vice principals in Grades D1, D2, D3, D4, and D5 earn between Ksh80,000 and over Ksh160,000.
KNUT Accepts TSC Salary Increase Offer, Calls on KUPPET to Accept Proposal
