Speaking on Monday, January 26, during KNUT grassroots elections in Nandi County, KNUT Secretary General Collins Oyuu said teachers across the country had resolved to back President Ruto after the government moved to address long-standing concerns within the education sector.
Oyuu noted that recent engagements between teachers’ unions and the President, including talks held at State House in September 2025, were beginning to yield tangible results.
“We, as teachers in this country, commend the President for reviewing the CBA cycle. Promotion of teachers had stagnated for years, with many remaining in the same grade for long periods,” Oyuu said.
Billions Allocated for Promotions and Hiring
According to the KNUT Secretary General, the government has set aside more than Ksh2 billion for teacher promotions and the recruitment of new educators.
Oyuu further revealed that President Ruto directed an additional Ksh1 billion to expand promotions from 25,000 to 50,000 teachers, a move the union welcomed.
“Instead of promoting 25,000 teachers, the President directed that 50,000 be promoted. As a union, who are we not to say thank you?” Oyuu said, reaffirming KNUT’s support for the Head of State.
The government is currently implementing commitments agreed upon during negotiations with teachers’ unions, including the 2025–2029 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) valued at Ksh33.75 billion.
The CBA is being implemented in two phases, with Phase One beginning in July 2025, resulting in salary increments ranging between 16 and 32 per cent.
In addition, the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) agreed to reduce the CBA implementation cycle from four years to three, in a move aimed at fast-tracking benefits for teachers.
The government also pledged to employ 25,000 additional teachers by January 2026, bringing the total number of teachers hired since 2022 to 100,000, in line with earlier commitments.
Other Benefits and Past Concerns
Teachers were also promised access to affordable housing, improved retirement benefits, and other welfare incentives.
However, before the latest endorsement, teachers’ unions had raised concerns over delays by the TSC in implementing some of the agreed-upon commitments.
In December 2025, Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) Secretary General Akelo Misori accused the commission of dragging its feet.
“What has surprised us is that the TSC, which is supposed to fast-track all the gains we secured with the President, has done very little,” Misori said during a media briefing.
Despite earlier tensions, KNUT’s declaration signals renewed confidence among teachers’ unions in President Ruto’s education and labour agenda ahead of the 2027 General Election.
0 Comments