Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) National Chair, Emuhaya MP Omboko Milemba, has confirmed that teachers who visited State House on Saturday, September 13, received money from the government.

In an interview on Tuesday, September 16, Milemba said that the 10,000 teachers who attended the meeting were each given Ksh10,000 as transport facilitation.

“Transport reimbursement for teachers was Ksh10,000 but teachers did not go to State House for money, they went to address their issues,” he stated.

The KUPPET chair emphasized that the engagement with President William Ruto was largely centered on addressing teachers’ welfare and long-standing policy matters.

Among the issues raised was the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), which he said had been restructured following discussions with the president.

“CBA which was Ksh. 33.8 billion was to be paid in 4 years and after interaction with the president we can to an agreement that it would be paid in 2 years,” he explained.

Milemba also noted that the union is seeking reforms in the funding of co-curricular activities, citing challenges with the current model.

"We are supposed to get a new funding model for co-curriculum activities because the recent one isn’t working. We have pushed capitation to the brim limit and we can follow it in terms of results," he added.

During the State House meeting, Ruto hosted all major unions, including Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) and Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET).

KNUT rallied its members behind Ruto with secretary general Collins Oyuu lauding the president for transforming the education sector, saying his goodwill for the teacher's wellness warranted their support.

Oyuu recognised Ruto's commitment to involve everyone in his leadership, observing it was a display of inclusive leadership that Kenya needs to make strides.

"In all our schools, performing schools have peace. This country needs peace for education to cherish. I want to thank you, your excellency. You brought on board every other person in this country to work with. That is why, as a Secretary General on behalf of teachers, members of Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT). I want to say, 'Kumi Bila Break'," he said.

Oyuu also used the opportunity to seek Ruto's support in the implementation of the 2025 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) the union signed in July with the Teachers Service Commission (TSC).

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On his part, Ruto emphasized the government’s commitment to strengthening the education sector, describing teachers as the country’s most valuable resource. 

"Teachers are Kenya’s greatest resource and patriots. They spend extra hours shaping the destiny of our children. We are indebted to these heroes," he said.

Ruto highlighted key reforms undertaken in recent years, noting that the education budget has grown from Sh540 billion to Sh702 billion, the highest increase in Kenya’s history. 

He pointed out that the government has addressed concerns surrounding the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC), ensuring clarity and a smooth transition, while also hiring 76,000 teachers with a target of 100,000 by January to improve the teacher-student ratio.

Ruto further highlighted the government’s investments in infrastructure and higher learning. 

"hat is not all. We have built 23,000 classrooms, established the Open University of Kenya, and introduced a student-centred higher education funding model that supports learners while increasing resources for universities and TVETs," he added.