NAIROBI, Kenya- Kenyans offering teaching services without proper registration now risk facing jail terms or hefty fines after the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) issued a fresh warning on compliance with the law.
In a gazette notice dated January 2, 2026, TSC Chief Executive Officer Eveleen Mitei said any person found teaching or assisting in teaching without being registered by the Commission is liable to imprisonment for up to two years, a fine of Sh100,000, or both.
“The TSC Act provides that any person who, not being a teacher under the Act, teaches or assists in teaching in any school shall be liable to a fine of not less than one hundred thousand shillings or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years,” Mitei said.
Schools Also Face Sanctions
The TSC CEO also cautioned schools and other learning institutions against employing unregistered individuals, warning that institutions found in violation would face similar penalties.
According to the Commission, employing unregistered teachers contravenes Regulation 18 (1) (c) and (d) of the Code of Regulations for Teachers, as well as Section 45 of the TSC Act.
Mitei said the Commission would not hesitate to take action against both individuals and institutions that disregard the legal requirements governing the teaching profession.
Teachers Deregistered After Disciplinary Action
The warning follows the deregistration of three teachers in November 2025 after they were found to have breached the Commission’s code of conduct.
The affected teachers, bearing TSC numbers 778322, 1024775 and 739070, were struck off the register after undergoing disciplinary processes, effectively ending their careers in the profession.
TSC emphasised that once a teacher’s name is removed from the register, reinstatement can only occur through a directive of the Commission.
“A teacher whose name has been removed from the register shall cease to be a teacher for purposes of this Act with effect from the date of such removal,” the Commission said.
Code of Conduct and Disciplinary Process
Under the teachers’ code of conduct, educators are required to perform their duties responsibly and maintain professionalism at all times while at work.
Where allegations of misconduct arise, TSC said it institutes investigations either directly or through appointed agents. Affected teachers are issued with letters of interdiction detailing the allegations, and if the claims are verified, the interdiction is upheld in line with established procedures.
