NAIROBI, Kenya – Teachers who left employment through resignation or dismissal after April 6, 2018, will now be eligible to claim their terminal benefits, following a new directive by the Teachers Service Commission (TSC).
In a circular, acting secretary and CEO Evaleen Mitei advised affected teachers and their families to visit the nearest county or sub-county TSC offices for guidance on how to file applications.
The change stems from the 2025–2029 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) signed in July with teachers’ unions.
Previously, resignation or dismissal from service meant automatic forfeiture of gratuity and pension.
Under the new deal, however, those who exit under such circumstances will now qualify for benefits.
TSC has not provided an estimate of how many teachers stand to benefit.
Data on its website shows that 470 teachers have been struck off the register in the past five years over disciplinary issues.
A 2022 survey also revealed that an average of 44 teachers leave the service daily through retirement, resignation, or death.
Between June 2022 and January 2023, 8,018 teachers exited the profession, averaging about 1,336 each month.
According to the circular, claimants are required to submit verified documents including identification records, bank details, Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) PIN certificates, and—in the case of deceased teachers—death certificates to be filed by beneficiaries.
The submissions will first be verified by sub-county directors before being forwarded to county offices and subsequently to the TSC head office for processing.
The Commission says the directive is designed to ensure fair treatment for all teachers and bring relief to thousands of former employees and their families who were previously denied benefits.
