Teachers in Kenya will start getting salary increments from end of July 2025 after the 2025-2029 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) between TSC and three unions: KNUT, KUPPET and KUSNET was signed on July 18.
The new CBA will benefit over 400,000 teachers with the first phase of implementation to reflect in July payroll.
TSC Chairperson Jamleck Muturi described the agreement as “a long journey of detailed and thorough negotiations” and said it’s a renewed commitment to the welfare of teachers in Kenya.
Salary Increases Across Grades
According to the new agreement, the lowest paid teacher in Grade B5 will get a basic salary increment of Sh7,313 over four years. This will move their monthly pay from Sh23,830 to Sh28,620.
The CBA introduces a structured salary scale across all teacher grades:
- Grade B5: Sh28,620 – Sh37,100
- Grade C1: Sh35,336 – Sh47,261
- Grade C2: Sh41,420 – Sh57,230
- Grade C3: Sh49,781 – Sh66,233
- Grade C4: Sh58,585 – Sh77,120
- Grade C5: Sh69,745 – Sh96,130
- Grade D1: Sh80,984 – Sh99,272
- Grade D2: Sh95,271 – Sh116,012
- Grade D3: Sh109,224 – Sh133,347
- Grade D4: Sh121,789 – Sh150,675
- Grade D5: Sh135,321 – Sh167,415
While salary has been adjusted, the Commission has retained most of the existing allowances except for increase in baggage allowance rates. Review of other benefits and Career Progression Guidelines (CPG) will be done in June 2026.
Breakdown of Allowances
- Commuter Allowance: Sh4,000 – Sh16,000 for Grade B5 to D5
- Disability Guide Allowance: Sh20,000 across all grades
- Annual Leave Allowance: Sh4,000 – Sh10,000 depending on grade, paid every January* Hardship Allowance: Sh6,600 – Sh38,100
- House Allowance: Varies by grade and location, up to Sh50,000 for teachers in Nairobi
- Baggage Allowance: Revised per-kilometre rates, Sh43 (B5/C1) to Sh80 (D5)
Government Support and Budget Allocation
TSC thanked President William Ruto for his support to the education sector and highlighted the major financial commitments for the 2025/2026 Financial Year:
- Recruitment of New Teachers: Sh2.4 billion
- Teacher Promotions: Sh1 billion
- Re-tooling of Senior School Teachers: Sh950 million
Since Kenya Kwanza administration took office, over 76,000 teachers have been recruited in under three years.
The total cost of the four-year CBA is Sh33.75 billion. The first phase, effective from July 1, 2025 will cost Sh8.4 billion, salaries, allowances and over Sh1.2 billion in pension and statutory contributions.
Salary Increase of up to 29.5%
Teachers will get salary increase of up to 29.5% across various job groups. But the unions had also pushed for adjustments to inflation-sensitive allowances, which will likely be reviewed in 2026 CPG.
TSC said it will continue to improve the teaching profession, saying the new CBA will not only reward current staff but also ensure the sustainability and attractiveness of teaching careers in the future.
