Teachers are expressing anger after junior police officers received large pay increases while many educators saw little or no change in their own pay. The government rolled out phased salary adjustments for the National Police Service (NPS), Kenya Prisons Service (KPS) and National Youth Service (NYS), but the gap between the police pay rise and the actual teacher salary increment has raised questions about fairness and the pace of implementing the current TSC Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).
Key Takeaways
- Police pay rise: Lower-ranked police officers received significant increases, with some gains of over 40%.
- Teacher salary increment: Teachers were promised a CBA worth Ksh 8.4 billion and up to 29.5% increases, but many saw minimal payments.
- Phased implementation: Police, prisons and NYS raises began on July 1, 2024 and will be completed in phases, with the final phase due this July.
- Next steps: TSC and teacher unions plan to review and possibly shorten CBA rollout from four years to two years after talks with the President.
Background: What the police pay rise includes
The recent adjustments raised pay across the security services. For example, the maximum pay for a constable in the National Police Service is now Ksh 57,700, up from Ksh 38,975 — about a 48% increase. New graduates from police training colleges now start at Ksh 29,296, up from Ksh 20,390 (a 44% increase).
In the National Youth Service, the lowest cadre now earns between Ksh 26,222 and Ksh 37,912, compared with a previous range of Ksh 19,800 to Ksh 32,315. Senior officers in the NPS and KPS also received raises; for instance, the top serving police officer’s maximum monthly basic pay rose to Ksh 345,850 from Ksh 289,090 (about 20%).
Teacher salary increment: expectations vs reality
When teachers and the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) signed a four-year CBA effective 1 July 2025, the agreement included Ksh 8.4 billion and a headline increase of up to 29.5% for various teacher cadres, according to a TSC circular dated 18 July 2025. However, the first phase of CBA payments delivered very small amounts for many teachers — in some cases less than Ksh 500 — leading to frustration and accusations that unions prioritised dues over teacher welfare.
Why teachers are upset
Teachers compare the size and speed of the police pay rise with the slow, limited payouts from their own CBA. The key grievances are:
- Perceived unfairness: large increases for junior officers while teachers received little in the first phase.
- Slow implementation: the CBA was scheduled over four years, diluting immediate impact.
- Transparency and representation: some teachers say unions have not effectively protected their immediate financial interests.
TSC response and next steps
After a meeting between teachers’ unions and President William Ruto, a commitment was made to shorten the CBA implementation timeline. The TSC, working with unions including KNUT, KUPPET, KESSHA and KEPSHA, has agreed to review the phases with a view to reducing the rollout from four years to two years so teachers can access benefits sooner.
The reform process for the security agencies is being overseen by the National Steering Committee on implementation of reforms in the NPS, KPS and NYS, chaired by the Principal Secretary for Internal Security and National Administration. The committee says the security services have implemented a majority of planned reforms and that the pay increases are part of a broader restructuring.
What teachers can do now
Teachers seeking clarity and better outcomes can take practical steps while discussions continue:
- Request clear pay breakdowns: Ask TSC or your union for itemised explanations of any phased payment you received.
- Engage your union: Participate in union meetings and raise concerns about implementation speed and transparency.
- Follow official updates: Monitor circulars from TSC and notices from unions about changes to the CBA timeline.
- Know your rights: Keep records of pay slips and communications related to the CBA to support any collective or individual claims.
Resources for teachers and educators
For teachers looking for professional development or study materials while negotiations proceed, the following resources may help:
- Diploma in Education past papers — useful for continuous professional development and upgrading qualifications.
- Bachelor of Education (Arts) past papers — for teachers pursuing degree-level study.
- Free CBC exams and teaching materials — resources for classroom planning and assessment under the Competency-Based Curriculum.
Final note
The contrast between the police pay rise and the slow teacher salary increment highlights the importance of timely, transparent implementation of agreements. Teachers, unions and TSC will need to keep up sustained dialogue to ensure the CBA delivers meaningful benefits. In the meantime, staying informed and using available professional resources can help teachers manage the transition and plan for career progression.
