KNUT Calls Off Teachers’ Strike After Promising Talks with Government
The Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) has officially withdrawn the planned nationwide teachers’ strike after reaching critical milestones in negotiations with the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) and the government. The strike, which was slated to begin on August 26, 2024, was called off following a thorough discussion by KNUT’s National Executive Council (NEC) on August 25.
The union had issued a strike notice over five pressing demands. These included the immediate conversion of 46,000 Junior Secondary School teachers from contract status to permanent and pensionable terms, the promotion of 130,000 teachers who have remained in the same job groups for years, and the full implementation of the second phase of the 2021/2025 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). Other critical demands were the prompt remittance of third-party deductions to relevant bodies, and the assurance of improved medical insurance coverage for teachers and their families.
Knut officials
During negotiations, the TSC confirmed that it had already promoted 51,232 teachers and was actively working to implement the CBA. The Commission also pledged to ensure that third-party deductions, such as those owed to teachers’ savings and credit cooperatives (SACCOs), were remitted without further delay. While KNUT expressed cautious optimism about the commitments made, some issues remain unresolved, prompting the union to monitor progress closely.
Although the strike notice has been withdrawn, KNUT emphasized that it could be reissued if satisfactory progress is not made on the remaining demands. In the meantime, teachers have been instructed to return to their posts on August 26 as the union continues to engage with the government to resolve the outstanding issues. KNUT reassured its members that it remains committed to securing better terms and conditions for teachers across the country.
