A fresh push is underway to have several parts of Bomet County officially recognized as hardship areas, with teachers arguing that current classifications do not reflect the realities they face on the ground.
KUPPET Bomet Branch Executive Secretary Paul Kimeto says teachers serving in sections of Chepalungu, Bomet East, Lower Sotik, Upper Konoin, and parts of Upper Bomet Central continue to work under difficult conditions without commensurate compensation.
According to Kimeto, while hardship allowances are meant to cushion teachers deployed in marginalized or challenging environments, some deserving zones in Bomet have remained excluded despite persistent infrastructural gaps and economic strain.
“These are areas where teachers travel long distances on poor road networks, access limited social amenities, and in some cases face insecurity and communication challenges. It is only fair that their sacrifices be recognized,” he said.
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He revealed that the matter has already been escalated to the National Assembly Education Committee, with a formal request for lawmakers to conduct an on-site assessment to establish whether the zones meet the threshold for hardship designation.
Teachers in the affected regions argue that failure to review hardship classifications has contributed to staffing imbalances, as many educators seek transfers to areas with better incentives and working conditions.
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The union official warns that unless adjustments are made, schools in the overlooked zones may continue struggling to attract and retain experienced teachers.
Kimeto emphasized that the push is not politically motivated but grounded in equity and fairness. He maintained that hardship allowances are a right where conditions justify them and that the Teachers Service Commission should align policy with the lived experiences of teachers.
The renewed demand comes amid broader discussions on teacher welfare, including calls for streamlining the Collective Bargaining Agreement phases, expediting Career Progression Guidelines review and addressing delayed payments for examination markers.
By Philip Koech
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