JSS intern teachers threaten January strike over contract terms, low pay

The education sector in the country could be staring at another looming crisis when schools resume in January 2026 after Junior Secondary School (JSS) teachers threatened to paralyze learning until they are confirmed on permanent and pensionable terms.

At least 20,000 JSS intern teachers who were employed on a one-year contract in January have criticized President William Ruto’s directive to promote them after two years of service. The group has also complained of poor pay affecting their service delivery.

From Laikipia, Kiambu, to Nairobi, the JSS intern teachers came out to agitate for their confirmation, their resolve being to take to the streets and paralyze learning in January to push for a permanent and pensionable contract.

"We are not going back to class, we want confirmation and confirmation should be now, it should not be delayed any more and we have sent a message to the whole republic, to all the 20,000 intern teachers there will be no Science next year," said Nehemiah Kipkorir, chairman JSS intern teachers.

"Mkataba tuliopewa ulikuwa wa miezi 12 na hiyo ingine hatujui, we are saying we are not renewing the contract, we want to be confirmed into permanent and pensionable basis," said Maurice Mwenda, a JSS intern teacher.

With the government planning to recruit 24,000 new teachers by January 2026 to hit the 100,000 mark, JSS intern teachers claim favouritism in the process of confirming intern teachers as some in the previous cohort were employed after working as intern teachers for one year.

"Kama wataajiri walimu wengine we will have 40,000 teachers and we are not going to stand and await that kwa hivyo sisi tunasema walimu waajiriwe, they are the pioneers of STEM and STEM is a strong backbone in our education system," said Maureen Makena, a JSS teacher.

Another concern is the salary of Ksh.17,000 per month which they say is too little to cater for their needs. They want this reviewed in view of the high cost of living.

"Shilingi 17,000 mimi mahali naishi nyumba ambayo naweza kumudu vizuri ni 7,000, ukilipa saba unabaki na elfu kumi, unaweza kuishi aje na shilingi elfu kumi," said Mark Wambua, a JSS teacher.

"Pale Laikipia North kuna shida nyingi sana, hakuna barabara mzuri na pia hakuna basic needs, hakuna maji ni ya chumvi na ni ya borehole, kuna shida ya security," said Simon Mwangi, a JSS teacher.

"There is a difference between cheap labour and intern program that we know, hii maneno ya intern it is like having cheap labour," said Robert Miano, Executive Secretary KUPPET Laikipia.

During his tour of the Ukambani region last week, President William Ruto insisted that government will only employ the teachers on permanent basis after serving for two years.

"Assurance ya every intern ni kwamba ikimalizika miaka miwili hakuna negotiations, unakuwa permanent and pensionable. Two years ikiisha hakuna kuulizana, mara moja anakuwa permanent and pensionable. So that is the plan and it helps me meet the target but also assist teachers who are not employed instead of them being out let one leg be in," said President William Ruto.

The intern teachers have planned a major demonstration in Nairobi on Thursday to push government to employ them on permanent and pensionable terms before the recruitment of other intern teachers. In 2024, JSS intern teachers protested for two months before they were absorbed by the government.