Govt: TSC working to ensure fair teacher distribution
By Nancy Marende, January 19, 2026The government has reiterated its commitment to ensuring a fair and equitable distribution of teachers across the country and to improving school infrastructure, particularly in underserved regions.
Speaking during an interview with a local TV station on Monday, January 19, 2026, Isiolo County Director of Education Caroline Mugo said the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) is deliberately addressing teacher shortages nationwide. She noted that this year marks one of the largest teacher deployment exercises by the government.
“The TSC is doing its level best to ensure fair distribution of teachers countrywide. This is the year the government has deployed the largest number of teachers and also engaged a significant number of intern teachers who have been distributed across all counties,” Mugo said.
She explained that the commission is also actively replacing teachers who have exited the service through natural attrition, including retirement and other unavoidable circumstances.
Beyond staffing, Mugo acknowledged that infrastructure remains a major challenge, particularly in remote and far-flung counties. She said inadequate classrooms, learning facilities, and related amenities continue to affect the delivery of quality education in some areas.
However, she emphasised that the government is working closely with development partners and other relevant stakeholders to address these gaps.
“Much as we can see there are challenges, especially in the far-flung counties, the government together with other stakeholders is working to improve the infrastructure situation on the ground,” Mugo stated.
This comes a month after teachers in Elgeyo Marakwet County threatened not to return to work or school at the beginning of the first term of 2026 if the government does not meet their demands for self-autonomy and permanent employment for some intern teachers.
The teachers are calling on the government to employ Junior Secondary School (JSS) teachers, who are currently serving under the internship programme, on Permanent and Pensionable (P&P) terms with full benefits.
Elgeyo Marakwet teachers
According to the KUPPET Branch Secretary for Elgeyo Marakwet County, Paul Biwott, the teachers insisted that they would not return to work if their demands were not met. He made the remarks during a media address on Wednesday, December 3, 2025.
He emphasised that the interns signed a one-year contract, not three years.
The teachers called for President William Ruto’s intervention to ensure that the educators are confirmed into permanent and pensionable terms.
“We are requesting our President, William Ruto, to kindly confirm every service intern. They are not in any training; they are fully qualified and trained as teachers,” Kemboi said then.