Teachers have accused the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) of quietly reviving the controversial delocalisation policy through a fresh wave of transfers that they say is separating families and disrupting careers.
Educators from several counties argue that despite previous agreements to abolish the policy, recent transfer decisions mirror the same approach that sparked nationwide opposition.
The dispute has reignited debate over teacher welfare, staffing shortages, and whether the commission is balancing operational needs with the personal circumstances of educators.
Teachers Accuse TSC of Reviving Delocalisation Through Fresh Transfers
Teachers from Nairobi, Kiambu, and Machakos counties have voiced strong opposition to ongoing transfers by the Teachers Service Commission, claiming the exercise is effectively bringing back the unpopular delocalisation policy.
Speaking during an annual meeting of primary and secondary school teachers on Monday, June 29, educators said the latest transfers have uprooted long-serving teachers from their home counties despite years of service in their current schools.
They argued that appeals submitted to the TSC committee responsible for reviewing transfer cases have largely been ignored.
According to the teachers, some educators have been transferred to distant regions despite presenting personal and family-related grounds for reconsideration.
"We have seen the issue of teachers being transferred under the delocalisation policy, which has negatively affected the teachers. Teachers are going before the committee to appeal but we are not being listened to," one teacher said.
The educators say the transfers have disrupted family life, reduced job satisfaction, and increased concerns over employee welfare.
| Teachers' Concerns | Impact |
|---|---|
| Transfers to distant counties | Family separation |
| Ignored appeals | Reduced confidence in transfer process |
| Increased workload | Lower job satisfaction |
| Welfare concerns | Higher stress among teachers |
TSC Says Transfers Aim to Address Staffing Imbalances
The current dispute follows a nationwide teacher transfer exercise launched by the TSC in April ahead of the reopening of the second school term.
According to the commission, the transfers were intended to correct long-standing staffing disparities across the country.
The TSC noted that many urban and easily accessible schools remain overstaffed, while schools in remote and hardship areas continue to experience severe teacher shortages that affect learning outcomes.
The original delocalisation policy required teachers to serve outside their counties of origin to promote equitable staffing and minimise conflicts of interest in school administration.
However, following sustained opposition from teachers and unions, the government later signed a Collective Bargaining Agreement that abolished the policy.
Despite that agreement, the Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) Nairobi branch alleged in 2025 that the commission had quietly reintroduced delocalisation through the back door by using transfer decisions.
Security Concerns Add New Dimension to Transfer Debate
Although many teachers oppose mandatory transfers, some educators have requested to be relocated for safety reasons.
On June 17, the Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) revealed that hundreds of teachers had applied for transfers from areas they consider unsafe amid rising political tensions ahead of the 2027 General Election.
The requests highlight the complex challenge facing the commission as it balances staffing needs with teacher welfare and security concerns.
| Recent Transfer Issues | Position |
| Urban staffing imbalance | TSC seeks redistribution |
| Delocalisation concerns | Teachers oppose mandatory transfers |
| Security-related transfers | KUPPET supports affected teachers |
| Political interference | TSC rejects external influence |
Teacher Transfer Debate
Teacher Shortages in Remote Areas
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TSC Nationwide Transfers
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Teachers Challenge Delocalisation
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Appeals Submitted
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Growing Welfare and Family Concerns
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Calls for Fairer Transfer ProcessMeanwhile, Acting TSC Chief Executive Officer Evaleen Mitei has defended the commission's independence in managing teacher deployment.
Speaking during the 2026 Kenya Secondary School Heads Association (KESSHA) Annual Conference, Mitei cautioned politicians, sponsors, and other stakeholders against interfering with staffing decisions.
She maintained that teacher deployment remains the exclusive mandate of the commission.
"Stakeholders, we value you, but allow the commission to do its mandate. I have constantly received letters from sponsoring institutions telling us where to move teachers," she said.
Mitei added that while the commission welcomes recommendations from stakeholders, all transfer decisions are made using established employment criteria.
The renewed dispute over teacher transfers underscores the continuing tension between the TSC's responsibility to ensure equitable staffing across the country and teachers' demands for fair deployment practices that protect family stability, welfare, and career progression.
