The Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) has rejected the latest salary review proposed by the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC), accusing the government of widening the pay gap between teachers and other public servants while ignoring key commitments made under the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).
Speaking on Wednesday, KUPPET Secretary General Akelo Misori said the proposed salary adjustments fail to address long-standing disparities in teachers' remuneration, warning that the union could resort to industrial action unless the anomalies are corrected.
The union also accused the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) of failing to adequately defend teachers' welfare, citing unresolved concerns over salaries, allowances and healthcare.
Union Says Teachers Were Shortchanged
According to Misori, teachers received modest salary increments ranging between Ksh900 and Ksh2,000, while other categories of civil servants benefited from significantly higher adjustments.
He argued that the latest review reverses gains achieved through previous salary harmonisation efforts and leaves teachers at a considerable disadvantage.
"The salary harmonisation we fought for during the Grand Coalition Government has been reversed. The salary gap between teachers and comparable civil servants has now risen to more than 60 percent," Misori said.
"Teachers have been given a CBA increment of only between Ksh900 and Ksh2,000, while civil servants have received much better benefits."
KUPPET maintained that the disparities undermine the principle of equal pay for comparable public service positions and breach expectations under earlier negotiated agreements.
TSC and SHA Come Under Fire
Beyond salaries, the union criticised the Teachers Service Commission for allegedly failing to safeguard teachers' welfare during the ongoing remuneration review.
Misori also faulted the Social Health Authority (SHA), saying teachers continue experiencing difficulties accessing healthcare despite previous commitments made between the union and government officials.
According to KUPPET, teachers are still encountering treatment delays, system failures and out-of-pocket medical expenses for services expected to be covered under the medical scheme.
"Social Health Authority (SHA) has failed to honour the commitments we agreed on in March and April. Teachers are still facing delays in treatment, system failures and being forced to pay from their own pockets for services that should be covered," he said.
The union further claimed that some teachers seeking specialised services, including IVF treatment, are being required to pay substantial diagnostic costs despite expectations of medical support.
Union Warns of Industrial Action
KUPPET is now demanding that the Teachers Service Commission engage the union to address the salary disparities and improve teachers' medical cover.
The union warned that failure to resolve the outstanding issues could trigger industrial action, potentially disrupting learning across the country.
It also urged TSC to consider providing an alternative medical insurance arrangement should challenges under the Social Health Authority persist.
The latest dispute adds fresh pressure to labour relations in the education sector, with teachers insisting that meaningful reforms must extend beyond salary announcements to include equitable remuneration, reliable healthcare and improved working conditions.
