By GPC News Desk

Nyamira County ECDE teachers have called off their month-long industrial action after reaching an agreement with the county government on salaries, union recognition and employment terms.

The agreement was reached on Monday, September 21, 2026, during a meeting between the County Government of Nyamira and officials of the Kenya Union of Pre-Primary Education Teachers (KUNOPPET), Nyamira branch, at the Governor’s Boardroom.

The county government said the agreement was reached following instructions by Governor Amos Nyaribo, paving the way for teachers to resume work on Tuesday.

Under the agreement, salaries for all ECDE teachers employed on permanent and pensionable terms have been adjusted in the September 2026 payroll.

The county will also sign a recognition agreement with KUNOPPET, allowing the union to formally represent the teachers.

“Contributions of the teachers’ dues to the union will be deducted and remitted to the union upon completion of statutory processes,” the county said in a statement issued on Monday.

The agreement further provides for the conversion of ECDE teachers serving on contract to permanent and pensionable terms by July 1, 2027.

The teachers have been directed to report to their respective stations by Tuesday, September 22.

The strike had paralysed learning in several ECDE centres across the county since the opening of the third term on August 24.

The teachers have been demanding implementation of the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) recommendations, improved employment terms and formal recognition of their union.

KUNOPPET had also demanded deduction and remittance of union dues and the signing of a recognition agreement with the county government.

The dispute had escalated in August after the county warned teachers against participating in what it described as an unlawful strike, arguing that the union had not met the threshold for recognition.

The county said at the time that it had received signed membership details for only 93 of its 882 ECDE teachers, below the 442 members it said were required to meet the 50-plus-one threshold.

Teachers, however, continued with the industrial action and staged demonstrations at the county headquarters.

They used familiar children’s songs and games as protest tools while demanding better pay and improved working conditions.

The SRC has previously issued guidance on the salary structure for ECDE teachers and caregivers, with counties responsible for the employment and remuneration of ECDE teachers under the devolved system.