The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has revealed it is yet to revise the list of hardship areas due to pending guidance from the Public Service Commission. TSC’s Acting CEO, Eveleen Mitei, explained to the National Assembly Implementation Committee that payments are currently based on Legal Notice No. 534 of 1997.
Mitei emphasized that no internal review had been carried out, as the Commission is awaiting the outcome of a broader government evaluation. Committee Chair Raphael Wanjala challenged the current framework, citing inconsistencies where one section of a constituency is eligible for the allowance, while another is not—leading to staffing disparities in schools.
MPs also highlighted cases where teachers allegedly bribed officials to be posted to hardship zones, causing some rural schools to be understaffed. Kajiado East MP Kakuta Ole Maimai expressed frustration over urban schools having surplus staff while remote schools remain neglected.
Earlier this year, Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi mentioned that a proposed review could save the government Sh6 billion annually. However, Public Service CS Geoffrey Ruku later suspended the implementation of the Inter-Agency Technical Committee’s recommendations, citing widespread opposition from public servants and leaders.
This decision triggered discontent in Parliament, with Nyando MP Jared Okello calling for more transparency and legislative involvement in decisions affecting civil service welfare. The current mismatch in hardship area classification remains unresolved, prompting fresh calls for an inclusive review.
