TSC Shocks Teachers with Sudden Promotion U-Turn
In a stunning and unexpected move, the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has revoked the promotions of over 1,800 teachers who had recently been elevated to new job grades — a reversal that has left Kenya’s teaching fraternity confused, frustrated, and demoralised.
The affected teachers, many of whom work in hardship areas such as Turkana, Wajir, Mandera, Garissa, Tana River, and parts of Eastern Kenya, had just started to enjoy the benefits of long-awaited promotions, some after years in acting positions. Now, they are being told they are no longer eligible for their new roles — without any official explanation or transparent communication from the TSC.
TSC Revokes Promotions Without Warning
The affected 1,864 teachers were part of a larger pool of over 25,000 educators promoted earlier in the year as part of the Commission’s ongoing human resource restructuring. However, less than six months into their appointments, these promotions have been quietly reversed, with no press release, circular, or public notice to explain the decision.
Teachers first became aware of the revocation through internal memos and updated job status records. For many, the decision came as a shock, especially after having undergone promotion interviews, met academic requirements, and received official deployment letters.
“I’ve been acting as a principal since 2021. I finally passed the interview earlier this year and received my appointment letter. Now I’ve been told my promotion has been revoked. It’s humiliating and demoralising,” said one affected teacher from Marsabit County, requesting anonymity.
Another teacher lamented that this sudden U-turn had dashed her dreams of career advancement after enduring years of service in a hardship zone with limited teaching resources and high student-teacher ratios.
Teachers Feel Betrayed and Financially Strained
Promotions typically come with salary increases, housing, and commuter allowances based on job group, and for many teachers, the new positions brought financial relief. Some had already made life adjustments — including loans and family plans — based on their revised salaries.
Now, with those changes reversed, affected teachers are grappling with financial instability, emotional distress, and professional uncertainty.
“It’s not just about money,” said a teacher from Isiolo County. “It’s the way we’ve been treated—like we don’t matter. We’ve served loyally, we’ve waited for years, and now they’ve stripped our promotions without a word. That’s betrayal.”
Lawmakers, Unions, and Stakeholders Demand Accountability
The reversal has ignited outrage among education unions and lawmakers, who are demanding urgent answers from the Commission. The Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) has labeled the move “unjust and unconstitutional” and is calling for an immediate review of the promotion process.
“These revocations are not just administrative errors — they are outright violations of teachers’ rights,” said a senior KUPPET official. “We demand full transparency. If TSC fails to respond, we’ll pursue legal action and consider industrial strikes.”
In Parliament, members of the Education Committee, led by Hon. Julius Melly, have also raised alarm. They have previously accused the Commission of regional bias and lack of transparency in how promotions are distributed across counties.
“How can teachers be promoted, then demoted silently without justification? This undermines not only their morale but also the public’s trust in TSC,” said one MP from North Eastern Kenya.
Political and Regional Controversy
Sources suggest that the promotions may have been revoked due to political pressure and regional grievances over the perceived imbalance in promotion slots. Reports claim that some counties, especially those in hardship zones, received a higher number of promotions, triggering complaints from better-resourced regions.
“We were told that some regions complained about us getting too many slots. Is promotion now about politics instead of merit and service?” asked a teacher from Tana River County.
Such sentiments have led many to believe that the decision was politically motivated rather than being based on objective evaluation or teacher performance.
TSC Under Fire as CEO Faces Mounting Criticism
The reversal adds to the growing list of controversies facing the TSC, particularly as outgoing CEO Nancy Macharia prepares to leave office. Her silence on the issue has been widely criticised by stakeholders and unions alike.
Acting CEO Evaleen Mitei, who recently appeared before the Parliamentary Committee, promised reforms in teacher promotion processes. However, these recent developments seem to contradict that commitment, raising doubts about TSC’s willingness or ability to implement change.
Call for Urgent Review and Protection of Teachers’ Rights
Teachers, unions, and MPs are now calling on the Ministry of Education, the Public Service Commission, and the National Assembly to intervene.
Education leaders warn that the reversal will not only affect teacher morale, but also classroom performance and the quality of education, especially in the already underprivileged regions that rely on experienced personnel.
“You can’t retain quality teachers in hardship zones if their rights and promotions are not guaranteed,” said an official from KNUT. “The system must reward, not punish, sacrifice.”
Conclusion: A Sector in Crisis
The Teachers Service Commission now finds itself under intense scrutiny, with the education sector demanding urgent answers. As pressure mounts, all eyes are on TSC’s next move: Will they reinstate the revoked promotions? Or will this lead to mass resignations, legal battles, and industrial unrest?
As Kenya prepares for national exams and transitions into the 2025/2026 academic year, stakeholders insist that restoring trust and transparency in teacher promotions must be a top priority. For now, thousands of teachers across Kenya remain in limbo, waiting for justice and clarity.
