The Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) Nairobi branch has strongly opposed a Teachers Service Commission (TSC) decision to transfer more than 150 teachers from Nairobi to Kitui, terming the move unfair and punitive.
According to KNUT officials, the Commission disregarded teachers’ rights by failing to involve them in the transfer process.
They are demanding that the TSC rescind the decision and instead consider promoting the teachers who have served in their positions for many years.
During a press briefing in Nairobi on Wednesday, September 3, 2025, Nairobi Executive Secretary, Macharia Mugwe, criticised the move, saying, “Delocalisation Policy headed with Kenya Kwanza Government but TSC has returned it through the backdoor on the pretence of deployment.”
He further lamented that the transfer process has disadvantaged senior teachers who have been stagnating for a long time without promotions.
“Promotions are becoming punitive and teachers given are old, the majority two years to retirement, others six months after stagnation for over 10 years in the previous grade.”
KNUT Nairobi Chairman, Nyamai Kasina, also voiced concern over the transfer of veteran teachers.
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He said, “Mwalimu mwenye amefanya over 35 years unamtoa unampeleka Kitui akae mwaka mmoja ama miwili, aki hiyo ni tatizo kubwa.” (A teacher who has served for over 35 years is now being moved to Kitui to stay there for just one or two years. That is a serious problem).
Kasina stressed that the affected teachers were elderly and should not be subjected to such moves at the tail end of their careers.
“Hao walimu ni wazee. Wangekuwa wakati walikuwa 22 walikuwa naajairiwa, hamngetuona hapa. Hata wenyewe wangefurahia kwenda huko. Lakini wazee na wengine hapa hawajiwezi.” (These teachers are old. If they had been transferred when they were 22, we wouldn’t be here today. They would have gladly gone then. But now, in old age, many of them are weak and cannot manage).
KNUT has promised to protest the transfers, emphasising TSC should instead prioritise fair promotions and consider the welfare of long-serving teachers.
By Joseph Mambili
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