TSC boss Mitei meets teacher unions to plan World Teachers’ Day as pressure mounts on Ruto over pledges
Nairobi, Friday, 2 October 2026
Teachers Service Commission (TSC) Acting Chief Executive Officer Evaleen Mitei this morning met officials of teacher unions and associations at the commission’s headquarters in Nairobi.
The meeting was to finalise preparations for this year’s World Teachers’ Day celebrations, set for Monday, 5th October, in Nairobi.
Mitei hosted the Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) Secretary General Collins Oyuu and the Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) Secretary General Akelo Misori.
Misori was accompanied by the union’s Chairman, Omboko Milemba. The Kenya Union of Special Needs Education Teachers (KUSNET) was represented by its Secretary General, James Torome.
The meeting brought together the key players in the teaching profession to agree on how the national celebrations will be organised. The occasion is meant to honour teachers for their work in shaping learners and the nation.
President Ruto to be chief guest
President William Ruto will preside over the celebrations as guest of honour. His attendance has already drawn attention in staff rooms and union offices across the country, as teachers see it as a chance to remind the Head of State of commitments he made to them during a State House meeting with teachers.
Teachers are expected to use the occasion to press for the pledges that remain outstanding, even as they acknowledge that several have been delivered.
What the President has delivered
Union officials and teachers concede that the government has met a number of the commitments made to the profession.
Chief among them is the recruitment of more than 100,000 teachers, which has helped ease staffing shortages in schools. The education budget has also been increased, as promised.
The promotion budget has been doubled from Ksh 1 billion to Ksh 2 billion. That allowed TSC to carry out a large promotion exercise that moved thousands of teachers up the career ladder after years of stagnation.
Teachers also received a new medical scheme. However, opinion is divided on its quality. Some teachers say the current cover is an improvement, while others argue it is not better than the previous arrangement under AON Minet.
The pledges still pending
Several of the more pressing promises are yet to be fulfilled, and they are likely to feature in the conversations around Monday’s event.
Promotion for special needs teachers. The President promised to promote teachers in special needs education (SNE) by one grade. That has not happened, and KUSNET is expected to keep pushing the matter.
Shortening the CBA. Ruto had said the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) would be shortened from four years to two, but the 2025-2029 agreement was not merged or shortened. Teachers instead received the second phase of the CBA deal in July 2026.
Affordable housing. A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed with teachers provided for 20 per cent of the Affordable Housing units to be allocated to them. Teachers say that commitment is yet to be honoured.
Retirement benefits. This is perhaps the most emotive issue. The President promised that teachers’ retirement benefits would be processed and paid within few days of retirement. Retired teachers say they continue to wait for months without receiving their dues, which leaves many of them in financial hardship after decades of service.
16,071 teachers to be honoured
Beyond the political undertones, the day is first and foremost a celebration of teachers. TSC will honour a total of 16,071 teachers across eleven award categories, recognising educators who go beyond routine duties.
The awards cover several areas:
- Foundational and career impact: the Early Years Educator Award, the Early Career Educator Award and the Lifetime Achievement Award.
- Innovation and specialised focus: the Innovation and ICT Integration in Teaching Award, the Sustainable Development Educator Award and the Inclusive Educator Award.
- Leadership and welfare: the School Leadership Excellence Award, the Teacher Mentor Award, the Child Protection Champion Award and the Most Resilient Teacher Award.
- Prestigious accolades: the National Honours Award and the International Recognition Award.
At the sub-county level alone, 13,728 educators are receiving commendations. This broad base of recognition feeds into county, regional and finally national awards, which will be presented on 5th October.
TSC says inclusivity remains a cornerstone of the awards process. Particular emphasis has been placed on honouring teachers with disabilities who have shown exceptional pedagogical leadership and resilience.
A moment of celebration and a moment of reckoning
For Mitei, the meeting with union leaders was about ensuring a smooth and well-coordinated celebration.
Working with the unions on the programme reflects a collaborative approach between the employer and the teachers’ representatives, who often sit across the table from each other in negotiations.
For teachers, Monday will offer both recognition and an opportunity. With the President in attendance, expectations are high that he will address the outstanding issues directly and give a clear timeline for delivering them.
Teachers have long argued that recognition must go beyond awards and speeches. They want their welfare commitments met, from timely retirement payments to housing and career progression for those in special needs education.
Whether the President uses the platform to announce progress on these matters remains to be seen. What is clear is that teachers will be listening closely, and the unions that met Mitei this morning are expected to keep the pressure on well after the celebrations end.