TSC’s latest policy ends delocalisation-related transfers tied to promotions. Discover how this reform restores family unity, stabilizes school communities, and transforms teacher welfare in Kenya.
The Teachers Service Commission’s latest announcement has been celebrated across Kenya as a historic victory for teachers who have, for years, endured the painful effects of delocalisation. The old policy, which forced many teachers to relocate far from their homes after receiving promotions, has finally been dismantled.
TSC Chairperson Dr. Jamleck Muturi confirmed that promotion will no longer automatically trigger transfers, ending a system that has caused emotional, financial, and social strain for thousands of teachers. What TSC has done is more than change a deployment rule — it has restored dignity to the teaching profession.
The delocalisation policy, introduced years ago to encourage national cohesion, ended up doing more harm than good. Teachers were transferred hundreds of kilometres away, breaking families apart, exposing employees to mental stress, and even leading to resignations. Newly promoted educators would wake up one morning and find themselves posted to unfamiliar regions, sometimes without adequate preparation.
Dr. Muturi says those days are gone.
According to him, TSC will now follow a promotion matrix grounded in teacher welfare, medical needs, and personal comfort. This welfare-driven approach is built on consultations from education stakeholders and guidance from acting CEO Eveleen Mitei, whose administrative leadership has been widely applauded.
Teacher welfare is now at the heart of every decision.
Under the new structure, teachers who qualify for promotions will first be evaluated to determine whether they can continue serving effectively in their current stations. Transfers will occur only when the vacancy structure demands it, not because of outdated rules.
This change is especially important for teachers with ongoing medical conditions. Previously, many who relied on specific hospitals or specialists were uprooted, interrupting vital treatment. The new policy allows them to continue accessing healthcare without relocation stress.
Family stability also improves significantly. Teachers with spouses working in nearby towns or children enrolled in local schools will no longer be forced to disrupt their lives. This will have a ripple effect on community cohesion, child upbringing, and overall teacher motivation.
Dr. Muturi noted that while the Commission must still follow constitutional guidelines on deployment, unnecessary or punitive transfers are now abolished. If a teacher is promoted to a headship position and the school already has a head, TSC will find the nearest reasonable vacancy — not the furthest region available.
This shift supports the ongoing expansion of teacher promotions under the current administration. Since 2022, more than 151,000 teachers have been promoted, with TSC expecting to finalize over 21,000 more by January. Once Parliament approves the extra Sh1 billion requested, thousands of additional educators will benefit.
Teachers have welcomed the policy enthusiastically. One senior teacher from Mombasa recalled being promoted to deputy head teacher but was transferred to Kwale — a move she ultimately rejected to avoid leaving her young family. For her and many others, this policy is not just administrative; it’s life-changing.
Ending promotion-linked transfers strengthens schools as well. Stability among teachers reduces disruption, builds trust with parents, and ensures continuity in academics. Students benefit when familiar teachers stay longer, and school performance improves due to consistent leadership.
The end of delocalisation marks a new era in Kenya’s education sector — an era where teachers are treated not as numbers in a system, but as individuals with families, health needs, and communities counting on them.
