Teachers' 5 years of pains and gains: Pay rises, promotions vs Inflation, healthcare woes
Education
By
Mike Kihaki
| Apr 01, 2026
KUPPET Secretary General Akello Misori, addressed the press, at Kasarani Sportview flanked by Kenya Union of Post Primary Teachers (KUPPET) National chairman Omboko Milemba and Kuppet Vice Chairman Julius Korir.[Edward Kiplimo, Standard]
Kenya’s teachers have secured major wins over the past five years from salary increases to promotions and mass recruitment but rising living costs and unresolved welfare issues continue to cast a shadow over the gains.
Between 2021 and 2026, sustained pressure from unions forced the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) to overhaul key aspects of teachers’ pay, career progression, and working conditions.
At the centre of the gains is the 2025–2029 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), a Sh33.75 billion deal that delivered salary increases of up to 29.5 percent for lower cadres and between 16 and 32 percent for others.
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Union leaders say the deal restored dignity to the profession. “These gains are not just about numbers on a payslip. They reflect the dignity of teachers and their ability to live decently,” said KUPPET Chairperson Omboko Milemba.
But even as salaries rose, inflation has eaten into the gains, with unions now pushing for harmonisation of teachers’ pay with other civil servants. Career progression has also seen a major shift, with the controversial Career Progression Guidelines (CPG) set to be phased out by June 2026 after years of complaints over stagnation.
Thousands of teachers have since been promoted, with the government expanding budgets to allow up to 50,000 promotions annually. Unions are also pushing for 44,000 intern teachers to be absorbed into permanent and pensionable terms following a court ruling.
Recruitment has picked up pace, with about 76,000 teachers hired between 2022 and 2025, alongside a Sh2.4 billion allocation in the 2025/26 budget to support further hiring. This has helped ease staffing shortages, especially under the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC).
The government has also set aside Sh950 million to retrain teachers, particularly those handling junior secondary classes. Beyond pay and promotions, unions have secured welfare improvements, including better maternity provisions and protection of pension rights. However, several pain points remain.
The transition to the Social Health Authority (SHA) has sparked widespread complaints, with teachers reporting out-of-pocket medical expenses despite promises of better coverage.
Housing remains another sticking point, with unions pushing for teachers to benefit from the government’s affordable housing programme. Hardship allowances are also under threat, as the government reviews regions classified as hardship areas a move unions warn could disadvantage teachers in marginalised regions.
Special needs teachers have further raised concerns over delays in implementing promised job upgrades. KNUT Secretary General Collins Oyuu says the fight is far from over.
“We will continue pushing for better pay to match inflation, full implementation of housing and medical schemes, and improved working conditions,” he said.
With union elections looming, teachers are now being asked to weigh these gains against the unfinished business and decide who will lead the next phase of negotiations.