KNUT and KUPPET Meet In a Bid to End Planned Strike

Knut and Kuppet have called on their branch executive secretaries in what seems to be a last-ditch effort to prevent a teachers’ strike scheduled for next Monday.

In a notice, Kuppet summoned its National Governing Council (NGC) to meet in Nairobi on Sunday, August 25, 2024.

A memo from Kuppet’s secretary general, Akelo Misori, stated, “You are invited to a National Governing Council meeting on Sunday, August 25, 2024, at Kasarani Sportsview Hotel, Nairobi, starting at 9:00 a.m.”

Similarly, Knut requested its branch secretaries, who are members of the National Executive Council (NEC), to attend an urgent meeting in Nairobi tomorrow at 10:00 a.m.

Both unions are under pressure from the government to halt the strike and restore normal school operations. Additionally, some teachers are urging the unions to cancel the strike to allow the release of backdated salaries by the Teachers Service Commission (TSC), arguing that the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) implementation issue has already been addressed.

Parents, especially those with children in distant boarding schools, are uncertain due to the looming strike. Meanwhile, sources have disclosed that TSC has withdrawn August payroll processing after meetings with teachers’ unions and stakeholders. Although TSC had prepared the payroll for payment, it was retracted last minute after some considerations.

Teachers eagerly awaited their August pay, including backdated arrears, but no funds were disbursed by Friday evening. TSC, after extended discussions with the unions, had promised to begin salary payments on Friday and conclude them by Saturday. However, the payroll was pulled due to the upcoming strike threat.

Sources claim TSC will withhold August salaries from striking teachers, with only those who return to work receiving their pay. Heads of institutions will provide data on staff attendance, while KUSNET members will be paid since they are not participating in the strike. TSC will only release salaries after receiving attendance records at their headquarters.

Both Knut and Kuppet members have vowed to strike from August 26, 2024, when schools are due to reopen, as only one out of their five demands has been met. TSC agreed to implement the second phase of the Sh13 billion teachers’ pay deal, granting a salary increase ranging from Sh2,570 for the lowest-paid teachers (B5) to Sh393 for the highest earners (D5). Consequently, the lowest-paid teachers will now earn between Sh23,830 and Sh29,787, while the highest-paid will earn between Sh131,389 and Sh162,539.

Additionally, teachers will benefit from four allowances: commuter, housing, leave, and hardship. These will range from Sh3,850 to Sh50,000, depending on the allowance category.

TSC’s CEO, Dr. Macharia, confirmed that salary adjustments would appear in teachers’ August payslips, with arrears dating back to July 1, 2024, when the pay deal took effect. Teachers are expected to receive the backdated amounts at the end of August, following a similar pay increment last year under the first phase of the 2021-2025 CBA.

On Wednesday, Dr. Macharia announced that the government had provided the necessary funds to fully implement the CBA’s second phase, benefiting over 370,000 teachers nationwide. Teachers in pay Grade B5 will see a minimum salary increase of Sh1,037, bringing their pay to Sh23,830, while the highest earners in the group will receive Sh29,787.

Despite this, Knut and Kuppet have pledged to proceed with the strike, citing unresolved issues, such as the promotion of 130,000 teachers and the confirmation of 46,000 intern teachers. Dr. Macharia urged teachers to return to work on Monday as the government has already allocated the necessary funds for the pay increase.

The unions also demand the resolution of issues concerning the Career Progression Guidelines, remittance of third-party deductions, and improvements to the medical scheme to ensure members’ access to both public and private hospitals.