- The Senate Education Committee has pressed the Teachers Service Commission to explain staffing shortages, stalled promotions, and prolonged acting appointments in Samburu County.
- Mitei told senators that new Career Progression Guidelines have been finalised and promotions for 34,016 teachers have been advertised under a Sh2 billion allocation.
- Legislators raised issues over acting allowances, staffing in ASALs, deployment in informal settlements, and retirement benefits, insisting teacher welfare has remained central to education quality.
The Senate Standing Committee on Education has piled pressure on the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) to urgently address persistent grievances raised by teachers in Samburu County, citing prolonged acting appointments, acute staffing shortages, stalled career progression and deteriorating working conditions.
Appearing before the committee on Thursday, Acting TSC Chief Executive Officer Eveleen Mitei defended the Commission’s human resource policies, saying reforms were underway to streamline promotions and strengthen career advancement for teachers across the country.
The session, chaired by Senator Betty Montet, was convened to consider a petition filed by teachers from Samburu County, who accuse the Commission of failing to resolve long-standing employment challenges that have adversely affected service delivery and staff morale.
In her submission, Mitei told the committee that the Commission had finalised new Career Progression Guidelines (CPGs), which have been forwarded to the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) for evaluation and approval before implementation.
She disclosed that TSC had already advertised promotions for 34,016 teachers under a Sh2 billion budget allocation, describing the exercise as part of broader reforms aimed at establishing a transparent, merit-based promotion framework and strengthening succession planning within the teaching service.
The committee, however, pressed the Commission over teachers who have served in acting capacities for extended periods without substantive appointments or payment of acting allowances.
Deputy Director of Legal Services Allan Sitima acknowledged that while existing laws provide for acting appointments, they do not prescribe the maximum duration an officer may remain in an acting position.
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His response prompted further interrogation from senators, with Catherine Mumma demanding to know whether TSC had formally petitioned the National Treasury to provide funding for unpaid acting allowances and accumulated arrears.
Mitei conceded that budgetary constraints continue to hamper the Commission’s ability to settle acting allowances despite making annual budget proposals to the National Treasury.
The committee also examined the persistent teacher shortage in Samburu County and other Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASALs), where schools continue to grapple with inadequate staffing.
According to the Commission, 455 teachers were recruited in Samburu County in 2024 through a competitive recruitment exercise that attracted more than 4,100 applicants. The Commission said it continues to prioritise recruitment of local teachers, replacement of those exiting service, deployment of interns and affirmative action measures to bridge staffing gaps in hard-to-staff areas.
Senator Agnes Kavindu Muthama challenged the government to increase funding for the education sector, arguing that sustainable financing remains the cornerstone of effective teacher recruitment, promotion and retention.
The committee further questioned teacher deployment in informal settlements, with legislators urging TSC to ensure equitable distribution of teachers and equal access to quality education for learners regardless of geographical location.
Progress Report on Teachers’ Retirement Benefits
On retirement benefits, the Commission reported significant progress in processing pension claims following the rollout of a National Pension System database, which has improved efficiency in handling teachers’ retirement benefits.
Members also welcomed the continued payment of Special Duty Allowances to teachers serving learners with special needs and acknowledged ongoing investments in teacher professional development, mentorship and leadership succession.
Senator Johnes Mwaruma warned that prolonged acting appointments continue to erode staff morale and undermine confidence in the Commission’s promotion system, while Senator Nderitu Kinyua called for sustainable staffing policies to address regional disparities in education.
In its resolution, the Senate Education Committee pledged to continue scrutinising the petition and engage all relevant stakeholders before issuing recommendations, as legislators seek lasting solutions to
By Godfrey Wamalwa
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