Kenya’s largest teachers’ union has issued a stark warning: reopen salary negotiations within a week or face a national strike.

On Tuesday, the Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT), through its Secretary General Collins Oyuu, declared a seven-day ultimatum to the Teachers’ Service Commission (TSC) to restart talks over a new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), or risk a full-blown teachers' walkout.

“The teachers of Kenya are not ready to accept a non-monetary CBA again,” Mr Oyuu told reporters after a tense meeting with TSC officials in Nairobi. “We are demanding serious financial commitments.”

The 2021–2025 CBA officially expired on 30 June, yet fresh talks for the 2025–2029 agreement have stalled. While the two sides met Tuesday morning at TSC’s headquarters, the meeting quickly collapsed.

KNUT accused the Commission of refusing to engage on key issues, most notably demands for a 60% minimum salary increase and a 30% rise in allowances.

Key Issues on the Table

Beyond salary increases, KNUT is also pushing for clear promotion criteria, especially for teachers who are not in administrative roles—an issue the union says has been long overlooked.

“This is not just about money. It’s about equity and professional recognition,” Mr Oyuu said.

The stalled negotiations come despite TSC’s invitation for talks dated 24 June, which had raised hopes among union members after months of silence.

“The Commission invites you to a consultative meeting on CBA 2025–2029,” read the official letter from TSC, setting the meeting for 1 July at their Nairobi headquarters.

However, the optimism faded quickly when the Commission reportedly declined to discuss KNUT’s demands.

Growing Discontent Across the Sector

KNUT’s threat isn’t the first of its kind in recent weeks. On 21 June, the Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) also warned TSC of impending industrial action if talks failed to start.

KUPPET Chairperson Omboko Milemba urged the government to intervene.

“TSC should convene talks immediately. The Labour Cabinet Secretary must also step in,” Milemba told journalists at the time.

His concerns were echoed by KUPPET Secretary General Akello Misori, who called the stalled CBA process a major blow to teachers’ morale.

Implications for Learners

If the strike proceeds, public schools across the country could see learning disrupted from Monday, 7 July—a threat that now looms heavily over the education calendar.

TSC has yet to issue a formal response following Tuesday’s failed talks.

In the meantime, Kenya’s teaching workforce is watching closely—and waiting.