The backlash erupted after July payslips revealed minimal increases across several job groups. Teachers in Grade D1 received a mere Sh36 bump, while those in C5 saw Sh72. Mid-level educators in C3 and C4 reported increments of Sh289 and Sh143 respectively, with only Grade C1 teachers seeing a modest rise of Sh996.
“This is not just disappointing—it’s humiliating,” said James Otieno, a high school teacher in Kisumu. “We were told this CBA would be transformative. Instead, we got a salary top-up that can’t even cover a litre of cooking oil.”
Adding to the outrage, teachers flagged a new deduction labeled “SWAL:KUPPET-Union” on their payslips, which appeared without prior notice or explanation.
Migori County KUPPET Executive Secretary Orwa Jasolo criticized the union for failing to communicate the CBA’s implementation matrix and called for immediate clarification from both the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) and union leadership.
Educators also noted increased statutory deductions, including higher pension contributions, PAYE, and housing levies, which further eroded the net effect of the salary adjustments.
Education experts warn that the perceived betrayal could dampen morale and affect classroom performance. “Teachers are stressed, distressed, and unsettled. We’re crying. We can’t focus in class when our payslips are bleeding,” one teacher lamented during a press briefing.
The Sh33.7 billion CBA was signed earlier this month by TSC and major unions, including KNUT, KUPPET, and KUSNET. While the agreement outlines phased increments over four years, teachers say the rollout lacks transparency and fairness.
Source: [The Standard] (https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/education/article/2001525718/this-cant-even-buy-cooking-oil-teachers-slam-sh36-salary-increase)
