TSC decision to equally allocate 19k promotion slots angers Teachers

TSC decision to equally allocate 19k promotion slots angers Teachers

The Teachers Service Commission’s (TSC) decision to distribute 19,000 promotion slots equally across all 47 counties has sparked outrage among the Kenya Union of Post Primary Education (KUPPET).

KUPPET leaders argue that allocating 404 slots to each county will disadvantage areas like Kiambu, Kakamega, and Nairobi, which have a larger number of teachers awaiting promotions, while benefiting counties in Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASAL) that have fewer teachers.

The prominent secondary school teachers’ union criticized the TSC for allegedly prioritizing newly hired teachers over those who have served longer.

Promotion Criteria
They also raised concerns about the promotion criteria, noting that some teachers have remained in the same job grade for up to seven years without advancement.

According to KUPPET’s deputy secretary general, Moses Nthurima, and chairman, Omboko Milemba, the current system seems designed to favor regions in North Eastern and parts of the Coast.

If the TSC does not change its approach, they warn that teachers in counties like Tana River, Isiolo, Mandera, Marsabit, Wajir, and Lamu, who have only recently entered the profession, may be promoted while those in counties with a larger teacher population remain stagnant.

Other counties reportedly disadvantaged by the TSC’s current system include Nakuru, Bungoma, Uasin Gishu, Kericho, Trans Nzoia, Machakos, Makueni, Mombasa, Busia, Siaya, Kisumu, Migori, Kisii, Nyamira, and Homa Bay, where some teachers have been stuck in the same position for over a decade.

“Is it reasonable to promote a teacher from Wajir who has only been in the profession for a year while overlooking a teacher from Kiambu who has served for over seven years in the same grade?” Nthurima questioned.

He also pointed out the disparity in promotion slots, questioning how Kiambu, with over 11,000 teachers awaiting promotion, can receive the same number of slots (404) as Isiolo, which has fewer than 1,000 teachers waiting for advancement.

“We advocate for a prorated system that treats all counties fairly. We have information that counties in North Eastern are implementing a program to hire locals who would receive expedited promotions at the expense of teachers from other regions,” Nthurima stated.

He emphasized that the current promotion system has shifted from being merit-based to a political tool.

Milemba urged the TSC to immediately halt the promotion process until fairness and equality are ensured for all teachers. He criticized the TSC for being selective in promotions, particularly favoring teachers from the North Eastern region.

He stated that the TSC is being unjust by promoting younger teachers over those who have been in service for a long time.

“It is unfair for the TSC to promote a teacher who has served for six years while overlooking a senior teacher with 16 years of experience,” said Milemba.

While speaking to teachers and parents at Esunza Primary School yesterday, Milemba mentioned that he has already contacted the parliamentary education committee to intervene and urge the TSC to correct this issue.

The lawmaker expressed concern that many teachers have remained stagnant in their job groups for several years without receiving promotions.

“We have heard accounts of teachers who have been in the same job group at the same school for over 16 years. These teachers deserve to be promoted,” Omboko stated.

The MP urged the TSC to implement promotions for older teachers to alleviate stagnation within the profession.

He also lamented that some teachers have been stuck in acting positions for an extended period without being promoted.

Meanwhile, the Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) faced a setback on Wednesday in its attempt to amend its constitution.

A court issued conservatory orders to halt the changes until a case challenging the amendments is resolved.

The Employment and Labour Relations Court in Nyeri granted the order in a case filed by Anthony Ndegwa Kinyua, contesting the changes that were adopted and took effect in February. Justice Onesmus Makau, who presided over the case, deemed the application urgent and scheduled a mention for April 4.

Justice Makau instructed the respondents to submit their responses by the end of business on Wednesday, with submissions due by April 3, 2025.

This court ruling comes two weeks after the Registrar of Trade Unions approved the amendments to the KUPPET constitution, which were ratified in December 2025.

In a letter dated March 13, Ann Kanake, the Registrar of Trade Unions, confirmed that her office was satisfied that due process had been followed in making the constitutional changes.