Knut Insists on Full Salary Increase for Teachers Despite Budget Cuts
The Kenya National Union of Teachers (Knut) has declared that its members will not tolerate anything less than the second phase of the 2.5 percent to 9 percent salary increment awarded in 2023. The union perceives any deviation from this increment as a violation of their labor rights, a breach of contract, and an act of malice.
Knut publicly expressed his strong disapproval of the recent budget cuts, citing their violation of a legally binding agreement between the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) and Knut, signed in 2021 and deposited in the Employment and Labour Relations Court.
The union argues that the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), which mandates a 2.5 percent to 9 percent salary increment for teachers, should not be compromised by the National Treasury’s budgetary decisions.
Despite TSC’s concerted efforts to convince both the Departmental Committee on Education and Research and the Budget and Appropriation Committee against the budget reduction, we have learned that the National Treasury has proceeded to reduce the commission’s budget of Sh357,773,737,118 by Sh10 billion.
Collins Oyuu, Secretary-General of Knut, stated, “The government has reduced TSC’s budget, which would undoubtedly impact the implementation of the second phase of the teachers’ CBA.”
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This stance is a reaction to the National Treasury’s recent budget cuts, which reduced the TSC’s allocation from Sh357.7 billion to Sh347.5 billion. Knut contends that this will be detrimental to implementing the 2021–2025 CBA.
The union maintains that the substantial budget reduction directly violates the CBA, undermining the agreed-upon teacher increments. Knut is currently advocating for the National Treasury to restore the entire Sh10 billion to ensure adherence to the CBA.
Knut Insists on Full Salary Increase for Teachers Despite Budget Cuts
