The Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) has threatened to call a nationwide strike if the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) fails to address long-standing issues affecting teachers, including delayed promotions and stalled career progression.

In a press briefing on Saturday, after a post-election meeting, KUPPET leaders accused the commission of neglecting thousands of teachers who have remained in the same job groups for years despite decades of service.

The union is demanding the immediate advertisement of promotion vacancies for about 135,000 teachers, who are said to have stagnated in their current grades, with some reported to be waiting up to 30 years for advancement.

“We cannot accept that teachers stagnate for a long time without promotions. Some work for as long as 30 years before being promoted to the D5 job group. We want that period reduced so that we can attain equality,” KUPPET national vice chairperson Julius Korir said.

KUPPET also wants the confirmation of 44,000 intern teachers into permanent and pensionable terms, saying the delays have negatively affected morale and performance in schools.

Secretary General Akelo Misori further urged the TSC to fast-track the implementation of the 2025–2029 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), insisting that the second phase of the deal must be fully implemented by July 2027.

“The commission should assure teachers that the second phase of the 2025-2029 CBA, which was signed last year, is implemented by July 2027,” Misori said.

The union also warned against any plans to reduce hardship allowances, saying such a move would face strong resistance from teachers across the country.

“We are hearing that you want to touch on our hardship allowances despite agreements made through legal notices with TSC. Do not attempt or even think about those abrupt changes,” Korir added.

The threats come amid growing frustration among teachers after TSC announced plans to promote only 30,000 teachers in the 2026/2027 financial year, down from the expected 50,000 positions despite increased funding in the education budget.

KUPPET now says failure by the commission to address the grievances could trigger industrial action that may disrupt learning in schools nationwide.

Acting CEO Eveleen Mitei disclosed on May 13, 2026, during a session with the National Assembly’s Departmental Committee on Education, responding to ongoing concerns affecting the education sector.

The cut of 20,000 promotion slots for the post-July 2026 cycle has surprised teachers, who had anticipated a larger number after the budget was doubled from Ksh1 billion to Ksh2 billion for the 2026/2027 financial year.

“Teachers were warming up for 50,000 slots based on the president’s word. To hear that Ksh2 billion only covers 30,000 people is a shock to the system,” said an assistant treasurer under the Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) after the session.

The decision has fuelled fears that existing delays in teacher promotions will continue, as educators have long decried what they describe as mass stagnation.

Members of the committee also raised concerns over regional disparities in promotions, calling on TSC to ensure fairness, transparency and timely implementation of teacher-related programmes.