KNUT Demands Ksh.10.1B TSC Budget Restoration for CBA, Threatens Action
The Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) is pressing the Kenya Kwanza government to reinstate the Ksh.10.1 billion that was cut from the Teachers Service Commission’s (TSC) budget for the 2024/25 financial year. This follows the withdrawal of the controversial Finance Bill 2024/25.
Budget Cuts and Their Implications
Collins Oyuu, the Secretary General of KNUT, expressed concerns in a statement that despite the TSC’s efforts to justify its Ksh.357,773,737,118 budget to both the National Assembly’s Departmental Committee on Education and Research and the Budget and Appropriation Committee, the Treasury reduced it to Ksh.347,492,589,260.
Oyuu noted that this budget cut would negatively impact the implementation of the second phase of a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) between TSC and KNUT.
The CBA, originally signed in 2021 and reviewed in 2023, was included in the state’s contractual spending for 2021/2025.
Legal and Financial Obligations
Oyuu emphasized that the CBA is a legally binding document, deposited in the Employment and Labour Relations Court, and the National Treasury is fully aware of it.
He argued that the Treasury cannot retreat from the CBA by underfunding the TSC, as the agreement clearly outlines the 2021/2025 contractual obligations.
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He insisted that the implementation of the CBA should not be linked to the Finance Bill, 2024, or the Appropriation Bill, 2024, as the agreement was negotiated and signed in 2021, reviewed in 2023, and factored into the National Government’s 2021/2025 spending.
Restoration of Funds
The Secretary General called on the national exchequer to reinstate the slashed funds, emphasizing that the reduction is a violation of the CBA.
He pointed out that neither TSC nor KNUT has withdrawn from the agreement, so it must be implemented in full.
Oyuu urged the National Government to fulfill its promise of awarding the second phase of salary increments as stipulated in the amended 2021/2025 CBA.
Expected Salary Increment:
- Phase 2 (2023): 2.5% to 9% salary increment.
He stressed that teachers would not accept anything less than the promised 2.5% to 9% salary increase, as it would constitute a breach of contract, an act of treachery, and a violation of teachers’ labor rights.
Legal Recourse
The KNUT Secretary General warned that if their demands are not met, the Union would pursue legal action.
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He called on TSC to use all available means to ensure that the legal and binding agreement is honored by compelling the National Assembly to approve the TSC’s Shs357,773,737,118 budget without amendment.
Should this fail, Oyuu stated that the Union would employ all legal means to ensure full compliance with the CBA.
KNUT Demands Ksh.10.1B TSC Budget Restoration for CBA, Threatens Action
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