DNK International By Our Education Reporter,Nairobi.
The Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) has intensified pressure on the Teachers Service Commission, demanding urgent action on stalled promotions, confirmation of intern teachers, and the worsening teacher shortage in schools across the country.
Speaking todaybduring the union’s first National Governing Council (NGC) meeting for the 2026–2031 term,KUPPET Secretary General Akelo Misori said teachers were growing increasingly frustrated over delayed promotions and uncertainty surrounding the implementation of the 2025–2029 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).
The union demanded that the TSC immediately advertise vacancies for the promotion of at least 135,000 teachers who have stagnated in the same job groups for years.
The council noted that more than 150,000 teachers have missed promotions for over five years despite repeated promises by the government.
KUPPET also called on the Commission to assure teachers that the second phase of the 2025–2029 CBA, scheduled for implementation in July this year, will proceed without delays.
The union further pushed for the truncation of the third and fourth phases of the agreement so they can be implemented earlier in July 2027.
The council urged the TSC to publicly release the draft report on the new Career Progression Guidelines and begin nationwide public participation within the timelines provided under the CBA framework.
On healthcare, the union acknowledged improvements made under the Social Health Authority scheme (SHA), including the removal of co-payments and daily capitation caps, empanelment of hospitals locally and abroad, and the inclusion of IVF fertility centres.
However, the union expressed dissatisfaction with what it termed as low cover limits for dental, optical and maternity services.
KUPPET also raised concerns that many hospitals are still declining to serve teachers due to delayed remittance of capitation funds and inadequate allocations.
The teachers’ union further demanded the immediate confirmation of all 44,000 intern teachers following a Court of Appeal ruling that declared TSC internship contracts unconstitutional, null and void.
The NGC also warned that secondary school teachers are facing overwhelming workloads because of slow recruitment by the Commission.
According to TSC reports, schools across the country currently require at least 116,000 additional teachers to address the staffing crisis.
KUPPET said it will continue piling pressure on the government to honour pledges made by President William Ruto regarding teacher promotions and improved welfare.
[DNK-International@May 15,2026]
