KNUT Demands Reinstatement of Ksh.10.1B Cut from TSC Budget, Threatens Legal Action

The Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) has issued a stern demand for the reinstatement of Ksh.10.1 billion that was recently slashed from the Teachers Service Commission’s (TSC) budget for the fiscal year 2024/25. The Union’s call comes in the wake of the withdrawal of the contentious Finance Bill 2024/25, which had sparked significant debate and controversy.

In a statement released by KNUT Secretary General Collins Oyuu, the Union expressed deep concern over the reduction of the TSC budget from Ksh.357,773,737,118 to Ksh.347,492,589,260. This cut, Oyuu argues, undermines the implementation of the second phase of a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) between TSC and KNUT. The CBA, initially signed in 2021 and reviewed in 2023, is a legally binding document that outlines the financial commitments of the government towards teachers’ salaries and benefits.

Oyuu emphasized that the budget cut is a direct threat to the fulfillment of the CBA’s provisions, which were carefully negotiated and agreed upon by both parties. “The CBA in question is a legal and binding document which was signed between TSC and KNUT in 2021 and is appropriately deposited in the Employment and Labour Relations Court,” Oyuu stated. He further criticized the National Treasury for attempting to backtrack on the agreement, despite being fully aware of its content and legal status.

The CBA stipulates a phased salary increment for teachers, with the second phase being a crucial component of the agreement. KNUT argues that any attempt to tie the implementation of this phase to the Finance Bill or Appropriation Bill is both inappropriate and unjust. According to Oyuu, the National Treasury is obligated to provide adequate funding to ensure that TSC can meet its contractual obligations as per the agreement.

KNUT’s statement underscores the severity of the situation, with Oyuu warning that the budget cut represents a breach of contract and a violation of teachers’ labor rights. He stressed that teachers are entitled to the agreed-upon salary increments, which range from 2.5% to 9%, as specified in the amended 2021/2025 CBA. Any deviation from this agreement would be perceived as a betrayal and a direct infringement on teachers’ rights.

In response to the budget cut, KNUT has called on the National Government to restore the slashed funds and ensure the full implementation of the CBA. Oyuu also warned that if the demands are not met, the Union will pursue legal action. “KNUT therefore calls on TSC to use all means within its reach to ensure that the Agreement which is legal and still binding is honoured through compelling the National Assembly to approve TSC’s Shs357,773,737,118 Budget without amendment,” he said. Failure to comply, according to Oyuu, will prompt KNUT to take legal measures to enforce the agreement.

This latest development highlights the ongoing tensions between KNUT, TSC, and the National Treasury, reflecting broader challenges in managing public sector finances and upholding labor agreements. As the situation unfolds, the resolution of this dispute will be closely watched by educators, policymakers, and the public, all of whom have a stake in the fair and timely implementation of teachers’ salaries and benefits.