Game-Changer for Kenyan Teachers: New CBA Sees Salaries Skyrocket to Ksh167K After Historic Deal Signed!

Massive Salary Boost for Kenyan Teachers as TSC Signs Groundbreaking Ksh33 Billion CBA 

Kenyan teachers are celebrating a long-overdue victory after the Teachers Service Commission (TSC), alongside the Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) and the Kenya Union of Special Needs Education Teachers (KUSNET), signed a historic Ksh33 billion Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) covering the 2025–2029 period. 

The landmark agreement, signed on Friday, July 18, at the Kenya Institute of Special Education in Kasarani, brings sweeping salary increases across all job groups. Teachers in the highest job group (D5) are now set to earn a staggering Ksh167,415 per month, a 5% increase—while those in the lowest ranks will see their pay jump by up to 29.6%. 

In real terms, the lowest-paid teacher earning around Ksh23,000 will now pocket approximately Ksh29,000 monthly. These changes begin immediately, with teachers expected to receive upgraded paychecks by the end of this month. 

The newly signed 2025–2029 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) brings a significant overhaul to the salary structure for teachers in Kenya. Starting with job group C1, teachers will now earn between Ksh35,300 and Ksh47,300, while those in C2 will enjoy a slightly higher range from Ksh41,400 to Ksh57,200. This tier mainly consists of early-career teachers and those transitioning from probation, and the new figures represent a solid step forward in improving their livelihoods. 

Teachers in job groups C3 to C5, many of whom serve as senior classroom teachers and subject heads, will see their salaries increase substantially. In job group C3, salaries now range from Ksh49,800 to Ksh66,200. Those in job group C4 are set to receive between Ksh58,600 and Ksh77,100, while teachers in C5 will earn from Ksh69,700 up to Ksh96,100. These increases are expected to boost morale and recognize the growing responsibilities handled by mid-level educators. 

Higher job groups, which typically include senior administrators and deputy principals, will also benefit from major salary enhancements. Under the new deal, teachers in job group D1 will receive between Ksh81,000 and Ksh99,300, and those in D2 will earn between Ksh95,300 and Ksh116,000. Meanwhile, D3 teachers are set to receive monthly salaries ranging from Ksh109,200 to Ksh133,300. These changes aim to reflect the leadership roles and management duties carried out by individuals in these positions. 

At the top of the pay scale are educators in job groups D4 and D5, mostly consisting of principals and other top-tier education managers. Job group D4 salaries will range from Ksh121,800 to Ksh150,700. The highest-paid teachers in job group D5 will now earn between Ksh136,000 and Ksh167,415, a clear acknowledgment of their expertise, long service, and administrative demands. The new structure not only enhances teachers’ earnings but also restores equity across various job categories. 

The salary adjustments will be phased in annually over five years, with a yearly allocation of Ksh8.4 billion, culminating in Ksh33 billion by June 30, 2029. 

KUPPET Secretary General Akelo Misori hailed the deal as a long-awaited correction of historical salary imbalances. He pointed out that the previous 2016–2021 CBA disproportionately favored school administrators, leaving classroom teachers behind. This new agreement rebalances the scales and prioritizes those at the base of the teaching profession. 

In a further win for educators, the controversial Career Progression Guidelines (CPG), which had sparked widespread discontent for their lack of transparency and rigid implementation, are being phased out. While the allowances structure remains unchanged for now, the move to scrap CPG is seen as a major policy shift. 

The deal comes after high-stakes negotiations earlier in the week between TSC and the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC), culminating in Friday’s final agreement with the unions. 

For Kenyan teachers, this deal not only means better pay, it symbolizes a renewed recognition of their critical role in shaping the nation’s future.