A recent audit by the National Gender and Equality Commission (NGEC) has highlighted significant underrepresentation of marginalised communities within Kenya's public teaching workforce. According to the report titled Teachers of Kenya: Status of Equality and Inclusion in the Teaching Workforce in Kenya, 2025, only 2.5% of teachers employed by the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) come from marginalised groups.
The audit, conducted in June 2025, covered appointments across 34,630 public primary, junior, and secondary schools, as well as teachers' training colleges. It excluded private institutions, county governments, and boards of management.
Key Findings
- Out of 425,613 public school teachers, only 10,820 are from marginalised communities, representing 2.5% of the workforce.
- Teachers living with disabilities make up 1.7% (7,399 individuals), falling short of the constitutional mandate requiring at least 5% representation.
- Women slightly outnumber men in teaching roles, constituting 50.2%, but hold only 27% of leadership positions such as headships.
- Age distribution shows 31.8% of teachers are aged 18-34, 67.4% are between 35 and 59, and only 0.8% are aged 60 and above.
The NGEC stated that the audit aims to inform policy reforms and enhance accountability to improve diversity and inclusion in the education sector. The Teachers Service Commission welcomed the findings, noting they will serve as a foundation for targeted interventions to promote equitable representation and career advancement for special interest groups within the teaching profession.
