President Ruto promises honouring teachers' plea of shortening CBA cycle to two years

The teachers want the four-year cycle of reviewing the CBA between the Teachers Service Commission and their unions to be reduced to two years.

Speaking during World Teachers' Day in Kasarani on Monday, President Ruto said that the reduction of the implementation timeframe will be considered upon the completion of the current 2025–2029 CBA.

"Because we have signed the current one, we will return to the 2-year plan when it's over," he said.

"You are now telling me two years have passed and you want us to switch to the two-year plan. Just as you give learners homework, so will I take this as homework, and I will come with answers. Leave that to me. I know what I am saying."

The current CBA, signed in July 2025, introduces a basic salary increase for teachers spread over the four years. 

The first phase was implemented on July 2025, and the second phase followed in July 2026.

President Ruto has said that the 2026/2027 budget has provided for an additional Ksh.8.1 billion to keep the agreement on schedule.

He further boasted that teachers are now benefiting from under the Social Health Authority (SHA), improving their access to health services.

He said that teachers can now receive in-patient services in 3,871 facilities up from 900, doubling visit rates from 7% to 14%.

"It is now at per with that of other civil servants," he said.

President Ruto said that as of September 2026, SHA has covered 415,608 teachers and 884,392 dependants.

The Head of State added that the government is also fast-tracking the remuneration of retirement benefits to teachers, a move he says will see teachers receiving benefits within 10 days of leaving office.

He intimated the deal is being brokered with the Teacher's Service Commission (TSC) and the Ministry of Treasury.

"As of July 1 2026 TSC and the Treasury began implementing the Pension Management Information System to fast-track retirement benefits," he said.

"Records are being uploaded and within the next three months we will pay a teacher's retirement benefit within 10 days of retirement."

The move however comes a year after President Ruto, while hosting 10,000 teachers at State House, agreed that the period should be reduced and tasked the TSC, the Ministry of Education and teacher unions to deliberate on the matter and propose the appropriate CBA period. 

He commended the teachers for embracing dialogue over salaries and other terms of employment, saying there was no need for teachers to go to the streets over matters that can be solved amicably.