ECDE Teachers Set for Pay Hike After KUNOPPET Negotiations
The Kenya Union of Pre-Primary Education Teachers (KUNOPPET) initiated the pursuit of improved salaries for Early Childhood Development and Education (ECDE) teachers in West Pokot by filing Petition No. E003 of 2024 at the Kitale Employment and Labour Relations Court (ELRC).
The union sued the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC), the West Pokot County Public Service Board (CPSB), and the Attorney General, citing concerns over the county’s failure to adhere to SRC’s advisory issued on August 10, 2023, which recommended higher salaries for ECDE teachers across all 47 CPSBs.
Following the filing of the suit, the West Pokot County government invited KUNOPPET for negotiations to resolve the issue without court proceedings.
General Secretary Samuel Opiyo represented the union in a five-hour meeting on October 11, 2024, at Governor Simon Kachapin’s residence. During this meeting, parties agreed to hold a subsequent meeting to formalize the resolution through consent.
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The second meeting, held on November 20, 2024, brought together KUNOPPET leadership, led by Opiyo, and the county government team, led by County Executive Committee Member for Education and Technical Training, Rebeca Kide.
Agreed Salary Adjustments
The parties reached an agreement that pending full implementation of SRC recommendations, ECDE teachers would receive adjusted basic salaries starting January 2025.
Degree holders would see their current salary of Ksh26,900 rise to Ksh39,700. Diploma holders would have their salary adjusted from Ksh19,220 to Ksh26,900, while Certificate holders would see an increase from Ksh16,870 to Ksh23,700.
Due to budgetary constraints, allowances will be implemented beginning July 2025. Degree holders will receive a house allowance (HA) of Ksh9,600 and a commuter allowance (CA) of Ksh5,000, bringing their gross salary to Ksh54,000.
Diploma holders will get HA of Ksh3,850 and CA of Ksh4,000, raising their gross salary to Ksh34,750. Certificate holders will have an HA of Ksh3,000 and a CA of Ksh3,000, bringing their total gross salary to Ksh29,700.
The county government acknowledged the need to incorporate allowances per SRC recommendations and pledged to seek further advice from SRC on other payable allowances.
Pending Issues and Future Prospects
Hardship allowance remains the only pending matter, with SRC expected to provide an advisory. If approved, ECDE teachers in West Pokot could receive an additional salary boost ranging from Ksh6,000 to Ksh7,000 above the agreed gross salaries.
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Opiyo expressed optimism that the agreed terms would significantly improve the lives of union members and boost their productivity. He highlighted that the consent had been adopted as a court judgment, effectively closing the case.
Opiyo commended Governor Kachapin for accommodating KUNOPPET’s concerns, emphasizing that this reflected respect for teachers and their vital role in the county.
ECDE Teachers Set for Pay Hike After KUNOPPET Negotiations in West Pokot.
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