Kenya’s education sector is bracing for significant disruption as two major teachers’ unions, the Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) and the Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT), have jointly announced an impending strike.
The industrial action, set to commence on August 26, threatens to keep schools closed as the new term approaches.
KUPPET’s national chairman, Omboko Milemba, made the announcement during a televised interview on Citizen TV. He emphasized the mounting frustration among educators who have shown remarkable patience despite ongoing payment delays and unmet promises. He stated,
“There is a joint strike notice from August 26 by the KNUT and KUPPET, meaning schools will not open… The genesis of this begins with the long journey of Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs). To solve the issue of teachers going on strike at the end of every year, we decided to leave the issue of signing legal notices with the government and adopted collective bargaining agreements.”
Unresolved Issues Fueling the Strike
The decision to strike stems from a series of unresolved issues and unfulfilled commitments by the government. Key among these is the failure to implement the 2021-2025 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), which was scheduled to take effect in July 2024.
This agreement included a promised salary increase of 7-9% for teachers, a crucial element of the CBA’s second phase.
Furthermore, KNUT is pushing for the permanent employment of 46,000 teachers, addressing the chronic understaffing in schools across the country. These demands reflect the unions’ broader concerns about the status and welfare of teachers in Kenya that include the recent budget cuts by the government.
KUPPET has has been threatening to go on strike since July to force the government to implement the CBA.
The Struggle for Professional Recognition
Milemba, who also serves as a Member of Parliament for Emuhaya, highlighted a deeper issue plaguing the teaching profession in Kenya. He criticized the widespread perception of teaching as merely a calling rather than a respected profession, arguing that this mindset contributes to the field’s lower status compared to other professions.
This perspective, according to Milemba, has led to a systemic undervaluation of teachers’ contributions and has hampered efforts to improve their working conditions and remuneration.
Government’s Last Chance
With the strike date looming, Milemba issued a stark warning to the government. Underscoring the unions’ resolve, he declared,
“They have no option but to down their tools on the mentioned date unless a miracle happens.”
As the deadline approaches, all eyes are on the Ministry of Education and other relevant government bodies to see if a last-minute resolution can be reached to prevent the impending strike.