Teachers across Kenya have escalated their criticism of the Teachers Service Commission (TSC), accusing it of failing to implement key promises aimed at improving working conditions and career progression. The concerns were raised publicly on December 18 and December 19, 2025, amid growing unrest within the education sector as unions and intern teachers expressed frustration over delayed reforms.
The Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) says several commitments made by both the government and the TSC have stalled months after they were announced. Central to the dispute are promises made during a high-profile meeting between President William Ruto and teachers at State House on September 13, 2025, where the President pledged to double annual promotions, shorten the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) cycle, allocate affordable housing units to teachers, and absorb thousands of intern teachers into permanent and pensionable terms.
Addressing the media on December 18, KUPPET Secretary-General Akelo Misori accused the commission of inaction, saying teachers were losing patience. “What is worrying teachers is that the commitments made publicly have not been implemented, and there is no clear explanation on timelines,” Misori said. He added, “We expected TSC to immediately seek funding and begin the process of promoting more teachers, but that has not happened.”
According to KUPPET, the promise to increase promotions from 25,000 to 50,000 teachers annually remains unfulfilled, with no evidence that additional budgetary allocations have been sought. The union also says the proposed reduction of the CBA cycle from four years to two years has not progressed beyond verbal assurances.
Intern teachers, particularly those deployed to Junior Secondary Schools (JSS), have also voiced strong dissatisfaction. On December 18, groups of JSS intern teachers in several counties staged demonstrations, demanding confirmation to permanent and pensionable terms. Speaking during a protest, Purity Wangeci, a representative of intern teachers, said, “We were promised permanent employment, but we are still serving on temporary contracts with low pay. This is demoralising.”
In Bomet County, JSS teachers downed their tools on the same day, warning that learning would be disrupted if their grievances were ignored. KUPPET officials in the region said teachers were frustrated by delays despite court rulings and repeated assurances. “A qualified teacher should not be kept on contract indefinitely,” said Peter Bett, a local union official. “The law is clear, and TSC must comply.”
Union leaders have warned that continued delays could lead to wider industrial action. On December 19, KUPPET reiterated its call for urgent engagement between TSC, Parliament, and other relevant agencies to fast-track implementation of the promises. “Teachers are not asking for favours,” Misori said. “They are demanding what was agreed.”
As tensions persist, parents and education stakeholders remain concerned about the potential impact on learners, particularly if protests and work stoppages continue into the new school term.
