The Senate Standing Committee on Education has intensified efforts to address a petition from Samburu County teachers concerning persistent challenges in promotions, staffing, and working conditions.

During a consultative meeting in Nairobi on July 30, 2026, chaired by Senator Betty Montet, the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) management, led by Acting CEO Eveleen Mitei, engaged with lawmakers to discuss the concerns raised.

Key Issues Raised

  • Prolonged acting appointments without clear timelines or compensation
  • Staff shortages amid high teacher turnover and funding constraints
  • Career stagnation due to delayed promotions and unclear progression pathways
  • Delayed payment of acting allowances impacting teacher morale

TSC’s Response and Reforms

Mitei highlighted the introduction of new Career Progression Guidelines aimed at enhancing career development, leadership, and succession planning within the teaching service. These guidelines have been approved internally and are awaiting authorization by the Salaries and Remuneration Commission.

She also announced that TSC has advertised promotions for 34,016 teachers with a budget allocation of Ksh2 billion to support these advancements.

Acting Appointments and Allowances

Deputy Director of Legal Services Allan Sitima explained that while the law permits acting appointments, it does not define maximum durations. The Commission continues to seek additional funding to regularize these appointments and pay accrued acting allowances.

Senator Catherine Mumma pressed the Commission on whether it had formally requested the National Treasury to allocate funds for outstanding acting allowances. Mitei confirmed ongoing efforts to secure such funding, emphasizing the Commission's commitment to compensating teachers serving in acting roles.

Staffing in Samburu and ASAL Counties

Regarding staffing shortages, Mitei noted that TSC recruited 455 teachers in Samburu in 2024 through a competitive process, yet challenges remain due to budget limits, teacher mobility, and the unique difficulties in Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASALs).

Machakos Senator Agnes Kavindu Muthama attributed the staffing crisis largely to inadequate financing.

The Senate committee awaits detailed responses from TSC to determine further steps to resolve the issues affecting Samburu teachers.