Teachers across Kenya are set to receive a salary increase of up to 29.5% following the signing of a new four-year Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) between the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) and the country’s major teacher unions—KNUT, KUPPET, and KUSNET.
The agreement, signed on Friday, July 18, 2025, at the Kenya Institute of Special Education in Nairobi, concludes a year-long negotiation process aimed at improving the welfare, remuneration, and working conditions of the over 400,000 public school teachers in Kenya. It will be implemented from July 1, 2025.
Speaking during the signing ceremony, TSC Chairperson Dr. Jamleck Muturi John announced that the new CBA, valued at Ksh33.75 billion over four years, includes not only salary increments but also new allowances and progressive employment benefits.
“In order to address the concerns raised by teachers through their unions, and after elaborate negotiations, the Commission has awarded a salary increment of up to 29.5% across various cadres. This aims to bridge the wage gap between the highest- and lowest-paid teachers,” Dr. Muturi said.
Key Salary Adjustments
Under the revised pay structure, teachers in grade B5 (entry level) will earn a minimum of Ksh28,620 and a maximum of Ksh37,100, while those in grade D5 (senior-most cadre) will earn between Ksh135,321 and Ksh167,415 monthly. The first phase of implementation will cost Ksh8.4 billion, with Ksh1.2 billion allocated to pensions and statutory deductions.
In addition, baggage allowance rates have been revised upwards across all job groups, ranging from Ksh43/km for lower cadres to Ksh80/km for the highest.
Broader Teacher Welfare Measures
In what appears to be a holistic approach to labour reforms in the education sector, TSC also announced a Ksh2.4 billion recruitment drive, promotion of teachers across all cadres at a cost of Ksh1 billion, and retooling of Senior School teachers to the tune of Ksh950 million in the upcoming 2025/2026 financial year.
Significantly, teachers dismissed from service will now be entitled to pension benefits, and female lactating teachers will be granted two hours’ time-off per day for two months to support breastfeeding.
TSC also committed to conducting a comprehensive Job Evaluation for the teaching profession and reviewing the Career Progression Guidelines (CPGs) in consultation with unions to ensure merit-based advancement and fair workload distribution.
Government and Union Support
The Commission credited President William Ruto’s administration for what it described as “overwhelming support” for the teaching sector. Since the Kenya Kwanza government took office, TSC says it has recruited 76,000 teachers, with more expected under the new fiscal plan.
The unions—KNUT, KUPPET, and KUSNET—welcomed the agreement, terming it a win for teachers across the country and a testament to the importance of structured dialogue and collective bargaining.
“We thank the leadership of the three teacher unions for working with the Commission, round the clock, to ensure that pertinent issues affecting our teachers are resolved through meaningful social dialogue,” said Dr. Muturi.
TSC concluded by expressing its appreciation for the patience of teachers during the negotiation process and pledged to continue prioritizing their welfare in line with the Constitution and national education goals.Teachers across Kenya are set to receive a salary increase of up to 29.5% following the signing of a new four-year Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) between the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) and the country’s major teacher unions—KNUT, KUPPET, and KUSNET.
The agreement, signed on Friday, July 18, 2025, at the Kenya Institute of Special Education in Nairobi, concludes a year-long negotiation process aimed at improving the welfare, remuneration, and working conditions of the over 400,000 public school teachers in Kenya. It will be implemented from July 1, 2025.
Speaking during the signing ceremony, TSC Chairperson Dr. Jamleck Muturi John announced that the new CBA, valued at Ksh33.75 billion over four years, includes not only salary increments but also new allowances and progressive employment benefits.
“In order to address the concerns raised by teachers through their unions, and after elaborate negotiations, the Commission has awarded a salary increment of up to 29.5% across various cadres. This aims to bridge the wage gap between the highest- and lowest-paid teachers,” Dr. Muturi said.
Key Salary Adjustments
Under the revised pay structure, teachers in grade B5 (entry level) will earn a minimum of Ksh28,620 and a maximum of Ksh37,100, while those in grade D5 (senior-most cadre) will earn between Ksh135,321 and Ksh167,415 monthly. The first phase of implementation will cost Ksh8.4 billion, with Ksh1.2 billion allocated to pensions and statutory deductions.
In addition, baggage allowance rates have been revised upwards across all job groups, ranging from Ksh43/km for lower cadres to Ksh80/km for the highest.
Broader Teacher Welfare Measures
In what appears to be a holistic approach to labour reforms in the education sector, TSC also announced a Ksh2.4 billion recruitment drive, promotion of teachers across all cadres at a cost of Ksh1 billion, and retooling of Senior School teachers to the tune of Ksh950 million in the upcoming 2025/2026 financial year.
Significantly, teachers dismissed from service will now be entitled to pension benefits, and female lactating teachers will be granted two hours’ time-off per day for two months to support breastfeeding.
TSC also committed to conducting a comprehensive Job Evaluation for the teaching profession and reviewing the Career Progression Guidelines (CPGs) in consultation with unions to ensure merit-based advancement and fair workload distribution.
Government and Union Support
The Commission credited President William Ruto’s administration for what it described as “overwhelming support” for the teaching sector. Since the Kenya Kwanza government took office, TSC says it has recruited 76,000 teachers, with more expected under the new fiscal plan.
The unions—KNUT, KUPPET, and KUSNET—welcomed the agreement, terming it a win for teachers across the country and a testament to the importance of structured dialogue and collective bargaining.
“We thank the leadership of the three teacher unions for working with the Commission, round the clock, to ensure that pertinent issues affecting our teachers are resolved through meaningful social dialogue,” said Dr. Muturi.
TSC concluded by expressing its appreciation for the patience of teachers during the negotiation process and pledged to continue prioritizing their welfare in line with the Constitution and national education goals.
