Teachers inch closer to get payrise as Knut, CS Labour Alfred Mutua agree

Teachers may soon call off the planned nationwide strike that was slated to start on 26th August 2024.

This is after officials of the Kenya National Union of Teachers (Knut) led by secretary general, Collins Oyuu, met the Labour CS Alfred Mutua today in a meeting that resolved to address the teachers grievances in a week time.

Mutua who was accompanied by Principal Secretary for Labour Shadrack Mwadime said he together with other parties will meet the union officials again next week to dialogue and make an agreement on the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) that teachers want implemented to the latter.

Knut together with Kuppet had given the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) seven days to implement the CBA 2021 – 2025 that was signed in June 2021 and amended by an addendum in August 2023.

The two unions had threatened an industrial action that could cripple the reopening of schools in third term which is also loaded with national exams.

However Knut did not raise the issue of confirmation of 46,000 teachers who are working on internship terms.

CS Mutua promised to address other issues raised by the union officials which include poor teachers’ medical services and non-remittance of SACCO and loan deductions.

“The union raised several key issues, including the delay in implementing the second phase of the 2021 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), which promised a salary increment of 7% to 9%, as well as concerns about the teachers’ medical scheme, non-remittance of SACCO and loan deductions, and delays in retirement benefit payments,” said Mutua in a statement.

Below is a statement that was released by the Labour CS Alfred Mutua after meeting Knut officials today.

𝐌𝐄𝐄𝐓𝐈𝐍𝐆 BETWEEN 𝐊𝐍𝐔𝐓 AND LABOUR CS DR ALFRED MUTUA

Today, I met with the National Steering Council of the Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT), led by Secretary General Collins Oyuu and National Chairman Patrick Munuhe, to address growing concerns that could potentially lead to a nationwide teachers’ strike.

The union raised several key issues, including the delay in implementing the second phase of the 2021 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), which promised a salary increment of 7% to 9%, as well as concerns about the teachers’ medical scheme, non-remittance of SACCO and loan deductions, and delays in retirement benefit payments.

I assured the union leaders of my commitment to finding swift resolutions to these issues and pledged to collaborate with my Cabinet colleagues and other relevant government bodies to address their concerns.

Accompanied by Principal Secretary for Labour Shadrack Mwadime, I emphasized the importance of maintaining industrial peace and promised to reconvene with the KNUT representatives in a week to assess progress and continue our dialogue.

The meeting reflects our broader government efforts to ensure that the interests of workers are safeguarded and that industrial relations remain cordial.

13th, August, 2024.
Nairobi, Kenya.