Tag Archives: TSC hardship allowance

TSC News Portal

TSC hardship sub counties in Kenya and Hardship Allowances

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Teachers working in hardship areas get a special allowance called ‘hardship allowance’. The Teachers Service Commission, TSC, pays extra allowances (hardship allowances) to teachers working in areas classified as hardship. While classifying an area to be a hardship area, the locality must meet any of these conditions:

  • Lack of or unavailability or inaccessibility to food,
  • Inadequate transport and communication network,
  • Limited basic social services and amenities,
  • Persistent harsh climatic conditions like flooding, landslides and drought,
  • Insecurity and high possibility of security threats.

Hardship allowance is therefore paid in an effort to compensate for the cost of living for teachers working in areas designated as hardship. Like stated above, teachers working in hardship areas face a myriad of challenges; from lack of water, flooding to hostile living conditions characterized by constant spates of attacks.

Posts with related news;

See the full list of latest TSC Allowances for all teachers.

TSC teacher promotions and new salaries 2021

TSC administrative promotions 2021 lists (How to check if you have been promoted)

TSC list of all appointed Senior Teachers per county: Latest TSC News

TSC reveals criteria used to promote teachers in 2021 (See promotion lists per County and letters)

2021 TSC Promotion results and letters for over 16,000 teachers out

TSC says Promotions of teachers completed (Letters to be dispatched)

TSC Latest guidelines on promotion and appointment of school administrators (Principals, Head Teachers, Deputies, Senior Teachers and Masters)

TSC Promotions 2021

New TSC teachers salary scales 2021

Hardship allowances

In December, 2014, the Salaries and Remuneration Commission, SRC, reviewed hardship allowance to be paid at a flat rate for all equivalent grades/ job groups. The Commission effectively abolished the pegging of the hardship allowance as a percentage of basic pay.

Administrators in Job grade D5 (Chief Principals) receive the highest house allowance of Sh38,100.

The table below summarizes the monthly hardship allowance rates that are paid to teachers working in hardship areas; per job group:

S/NO GRADE TSC SCALE FORMER JOB GROUP Hardship Allowance- in Kshs per Month
1 B5 5 G 6,600
2 C1 6 H 8,200
3 C2 7 I 10,900
4 C3 8 J 12,300
5 C4 9 K 14,650
6 C5 10 L 17,100
7 D1 11 M 27,300
8 D2 12 N 27,300
9 D3 13 P 31,500
10 D4 14 Q 31,500
11 D5 15  R 38,100

 

TSC designated hardship areas.

TSC has designated various areas as hardship. The areas considered as hardship include those that are prone to terrorism, famine and aridity. As of 2012, TSC had about 38 areas approved as hardship.

Currently, teachers teaching in schools located in some parts of the following counties receive monthly hardship allowances.

Hardship Designated Areas.

The Salaries and Remuneration Commission is in the process of reviewing the allowances paid to teachers. As such, the following areas (currently designated as hardship) may be affected:

S/NO. AREA/ COUNTY
1 Garissa County
2 Isiolo County
3 Kilifi County
4 Kwale County
5 Lamu County
6 Mandera County
7 Marsabit County
8 Narok County
9 Samburu County
10 Taita Taveta County
11 Tana River County
12 Turkana
13 Wajir County
14 West Pokot County
TSC News Portal

Hardship allowance for teachers, civil servants – SRC Rates

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Here is the latest list of counties that have been listed under hardship areas:

Mandera County

Turkana County

SamburU County

Wajir County

West Pokot County

Narok County

Garissa County

Marsabit County

Isiolo County

Tana River County

Lamu County

Kilifi County

Kwale County

Taita Taveta County

Recently, the commission added 4 new hardship areas due to the Collective Bargaining Agreement.

The added counties include,

Baringo North. The areas include;

Tiaty East, Tiaty West and Marigat sub-counties.

Kajiado county- loitoktok, mashuuru and Kajiado west

Kitui County- Mumoni, Mutito North and Teikuru sub-counties

Homa bay county- suba and Mbita sub counties

Allowances

The hardship allowance is paid at a flat rate. In 2014, the Salaries and Remuneration Commission reviewed hardship allowances and abolished the percentage of basic pay.

TSC News Portal

TSC leave Allowance (Latest rates per job group)

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The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) pays an annual leave allowance to all teachers in its payroll. Leave allowance is a yearly allowance paid together with the January Salary of the preceding year. It is given as per a teacher’s grade; with those in higher job grades earning more.

Teachers at Grade B5 (T- Scale 5); Primary Teacher II, receive a yearly annual leave allowance of Sh4,000. The same amount is paid to teachers in Grade C1 (T- Scale For Secondary Teacher III, Lecturer III and Primary Teacher I).

Sh6,000 is paid as annual leave allowance to all teachers in Grade C2 (T- Scale 7; Secondary Teacher II, SNE Teacher II (Primary Schools), Lecturer II and Senior Teacher II), and Grade C3 {T- Scale 8; Secondary Teacher I, Lecturer I, SNE Teacher I (Primary Schools), SNE Teacher II (Secondary Schools) and Senior Teacher I}.

Teachers in Grade C4 [T- Scale 9; Senior Master IV, Senior Lecturer IV, SNE Senior Teacher (Primary Schools), SNE Teacher I (Secondary Schools) and Deputy Head Teacher II] and those in Grade C5 [T- Scale 10; Deputy Principal IV, Senior Master III, Senior Lecturer III, Head Teacher, Deputy Head Teacher and Curriculum Support Officer II] also receive Sh6,000 as annual leave allowance.

Finnaly all teachers in Grade D1 (T- Scale 11) to Grade D5 (T- Scale 15) receive a yearly leave of Sh10,000.

TSC Annual Leave Allowances For Teachers

S/NO Grade Leave Allowance
1 B5 4,000
2 C1 4,000
3 C2 6,000
4 C3 6,000
5 C4 6,000
6 C5 6,000
7 D1 10,000
8 D2 10,000
9 D3 10,000
10 D4 10,000
11 D5 10,000

 

Posts with related news;

See the full list of latest TSC Allowances for all teachers.

TSC teacher promotions and new salaries 2021

TSC administrative promotions 2021 lists (How to check if you have been promoted)

TSC list of all appointed Senior Teachers per county: Latest TSC News

TSC reveals criteria used to promote teachers in 2021 (See promotion lists per County and letters)

2021 TSC Promotion results and letters for over 16,000 teachers out

TSC says Promotions of teachers completed (Letters to be dispatched)

TSC Latest guidelines on promotion and appointment of school administrators (Principals, Head Teachers, Deputies, Senior Teachers and Masters)

TSC Promotions 2021

New TSC teachers salary scales 2021

TSC News Portal

TSC new allowances per teacher grade

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The Teachers Service Commission, TSC, updates the rates of allowances paid to teachers from time to time. After a TSC promotion, the allowances are adjusted accordingly as per the recent Job Group (Grade). All teachers receive different types of allowances from TSC. These allowances are paid to teachers alongside their monthly salaries.

Allowances paid by TSC depend on such factors as the work station, job grade of individual teachers, responsibilities and others like type of learners handled. See table showing all the TSC allowances per job group at the bottom of this post.

Whereas most allowances are paid on a monthly basis, others are one off. Below is a description of the various types of allowances paid by TSC.

Types of allowances paid to teachers

Allowances paid to teachers are classified as either remunerative or reimbursable.

Remunerative allowances are paid with salary while reimbursable allowances are refundable upon application.

A. Remunerative allowances

There are two types of remunerative allowances;

    1. Automatic
    2. Those paid upon application

 I. Automatic allowances include:

  1. house
  2. medical (No longer paid to teachers; deducted and paid directly to Minet insurance and another is given to the NHIF)
  3. commuter
  4. hardship
  5. Leave allowance
HOUSE ALLOWANCE

House allowance is paid on a monthly basis to all teachers. It is paid on two criteria; Job grade and workstation. Teachers in higher job groups earn a higher house allowance than those in lower cadres. The salaries and remuneration commission, src, has also clustered teachers’ work station into four regions;

  • Nairobi,
  • Former Major Municipalities (Mombasa, Kisumu, Nakuru, Nyeri, Eldoret, Thika, Kisii, Malindi and Kitale),
  • Other former Municipalities; Ruiru, Kikuyu, Kitui, Machakos, Mlolongo, Athi River, Vihiga, Wote, Mumias, Bomet, Limuru, Kericho, Kimilili, Kakamega, Kapsabet, Kiambu, Bungoma, Webuye, Busia, Runyenjes, Migori, Embu, Homa Bay, Lodwar, Meru, Nyahururu, Nanyuki, Maua, Voi, Siaya, Chuka and Kerugoya/ Kutus
  • Other areas; this include all regions not mentioned in bullet 1-3 above.

Teachers working in Nairobi draw the largest amount of house allowance whereas those plying their trade in reserves (other areas) receive the lowest amounts. (Details on the table at the bottom end of this article).

Here is your complete guide to all the new teachers’ salary scales. Click on this link.

HARDSHIP ALLOWANCE

TSC pays monthly hardship allowance to teachers working in areas prone to insecurity, high risks and harsh climatic conditions. The commission has designated various areas as hardship. The allowance is paid according to a teacher’s grade. Those in higher job grades earn more than their counterparts in lower cadres. (see table below; bottom end of the article).

COMMUTER ALLOWANCE

Commuter allowance is paid to all teachers on a monthly basis. Payment of this allowance is solely dependent on the teacher’s job group. (See tabulated figures below; scroll to the bottom of the page)

LEAVE ALLOWANCE

Leave allowance is a yearly allowance paid together with the January Salary of the preceding year. It is given as per a teacher’s grade; with those in higher job grades earning more.

Posts with related news;

TSC teacher promotions and new salaries 2021

TSC administrative promotions 2021 lists (How to check if you have been promoted)

TSC list of all appointed Senior Teachers per county: Latest TSC News

TSC reveals criteria used to promote teachers in 2021 (See promotion lists per County and letters)

2021 TSC Promotion results and letters for over 16,000 teachers out

TSC says Promotions of teachers completed (Letters to be dispatched)

TSC Latest guidelines on promotion and appointment of school administrators (Principals, Head Teachers, Deputies, Senior Teachers and Masters)

TSC Promotions 2021

B. Allowances paid on application include:

a. Responsibility allowance

This is paid to headteachers,deputy headteachers and senior teachers who are at Job Group K and below.

b. Special duty allowance

This is payable to teachers below job group M appointed to administrative posts by commission and deployed in arid and semi-arid lands.

c. Readers allowance

This is paid to a visually impaired teacher who has engaged a reader whose minimum qualification is not below KCSE D+/KCE Division III. The allowance is paid at a fixed rate determined from time to time by the commission.

Also called facilitation or aid allowance, reader’s allowance is paid at a rate of Sh15,000 per month to the blind teachers and those confined to wheel chairs by virtue of their disability.

d. Interpreters Allowance

This is payable to deaf teachers who engage interpreters while on study leave. Special school allowance -This is paid to teachers specialized in special needs education and who have been deployed to teach in special schools or units.

e. Transfer Allowance

This is payable to teachers who have been transferred from one workstation to another, provided the transfer is initiated by the Commission. It is equivalent to a teacher’s basic pay for one month.

B. Reimbursable Expenses

The commission reimburses the following expenses to teachers

I. Travelling expenses:

The teacher is eligible for reimbursement only in the following circumstances;

  1. Where a teacher’s interdiction has been revoked.
  2. While traveling to attend an interview
  3. Travelling to a station on first posting outside home District
  4. Traveling from duty station outside home District on retirement
  5. Teachers working in hardship areas travelling to and from home during school holidays.The teacher’s home District must be outside the hardship area.

Teachers should apply on prescribed forms attaching supporting documents.

II. Quota per diem:

This is daily subsistence allowance paid to teachers on official assignment. Application must be made at least 14 days before travelling.

TABLE SHOWING ALLOWANCES PAID TO TEACHERS BY TSC.

S/NO GRADEJOB

GROUP

 COMMUTER LEAVE HARDSHIP HOUSE ALLOWANCE educationnewshub.co.ke LOCAL TRAVEL educationnewshub.co.ke
Nairobi Major municipalities* Other municipalities* others Cluster 1* Cluster2* Cluster 3*
1 B5 4,000 4,000 6,600 6,750 4,500 3,850 3,200 6,300 4,900 4,200
2 C1 4,000 4,000 8,200 10,000 7,500 5,800 4,200 6,300 4,900 4,200
3 C2 5,000 6,000 10,900 16,500 12,800 9,600 7,500 11,200 8,400 7,000
4 C3 6,000 6,000 12,300 28,000 22,000 16,500 13,000 11,200 8,400 7,000
5 C4 8,000 6,000 14,650 28,000 22,000 16,500 13,000 11,200 8,400 7,000
6 C5 8,000 6,000 17,100 35,000 25,500 18,000 20,000 11,200 8,400 7,000
7 D1 12,000 10,000 27,300 45,000 28,000 25,000 20,000 14,000 10,500 8,400
8 D2 13,000 10,000 30,000 50,000 35,000 25,000 20,000 14,000 10,500 8,400
9 D3 14,000 10,000 32,700 50,000 35,000 25,000 20,000 14,000 10,500 8,400
10 D4 15,000 10,000 35,400 50,000 35,000 25,000 20,000 14,000 10,500 8,400
11 D5 16,000 10,000 38,100 50,000 35,000 25,000 20,000 14,000 10,500 8,400

 

Key:

  • Former Major Municipalities* include: Mombasa, Kisumu, Nakuru, Nyeri, Eldoret, Thika, Kisii, Malindi and Kitale.
  • Other former Municipalities* are: Ruiru, Kikuyu, Kitui, Machakos, Mlolongo, Athi River, Vihiga, Wote, Mumias, Bomet, Limuru, Kericho, Kimilili, Kakamega, Kapsabet, Kiambu, Bungoma, Webuye, Busia, Runyenjes, Migori, Embu, Homa Bay, Lodwar, Meru, Nyahururu, Nanyuki, Maua, Voi, Siaya, Chuka and Kerugoya/ Kutus.
  • Cluster 1* include: Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, Malindi, Kilifi, Lamu, Kwale and Naivasha.
  • Cluster 2*: Nyeri, Eldoret, Kericho, Kakamega, Kisii, Embu, Nanyuki, Nakuru, Lodwar and Garissa.
TSC News Portal

Teachers in hardship areas sue TSC for reviewing the Hardship Zones and Allowances 

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Teachers working in hardship areas have sued the Teachers Service Commission, TSC, for reviewing the hardship areas and allowances. The aggrieved Tutors have moved to court to stop the government from implementing a plan that would remove hardship allowances from over 129 sub-counties, and which could see civil servants lose up to Sh6 billion in the allowances.

The Kenya Teachers in Hardship and Arid Areas Welfare Association (Kethawa) has raised concerns over the proposed implementation of the 2019 Inter-Agency Technical Committee Report on Hardship Area Reclassification, citing a lack of public consultation, scientific validation, and engagement with key stakeholders during its development.

Also see: How TSC Classifies Hardship Areas and Allowances in 2025

“The reports affect 44 regions spreading across over 35 counties and over 129 sub-counties in the republic of Kenya which continue to suffer from inaccessibility, poor healthcare, insecurity, and under-resourced schools amongst other challenges. Teachers who are posted in this areas have long been recipients of hardship allowances as compensation for adverse working conditions,” read the petition.

Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi last week told the National Assembly that the review of the hardship areas will see the government reduce the payment of the allowances from the current Sh25, 984,087,848 to Sh19, 532,995,548.

You may like: Kuppet opposes move to slash Teachers’ hardship allowance, areas

In a court order dated May 9, 2025, Lady Justice Hellen Wasilwa directed that the petition be served upon all respondents, including the Teachers Service Commission (TSC), Public Service Commission, Salaries and Remuneration Commission, Prime Cabinet Secretary, and Attorney General.

The matter is scheduled for inter partes hearing on May 20, 2025.

Through its petition, the association proposes dividing hardship areas into two tiers “extreme” and “moderate” and eliminating some regions from the hardship designation entirely.

A teacher employed by the Teachers Service Commission, TSC, holding a class session under a tree in this unidentified hardship areas.

Kethawa argues that this approach risks cutting vital allowances for teachers and other public workers, potentially causing major interruptions in essential public services.

“The report proposes a controversial reclassification that places certain counties or sub-counties into “Extreme” and “Moderate” hardship categories while excluding others altogether. The report was allegedly developed by a 2019 Inter-Agency Technical Committee allegedly composed of various government bodies. However, there is no evidence of public consultation, scientific validation, or stakeholder engagement in the development of this report before its proposed implementation,” read the petition.

“The proposed implementation of the report, currently under consideration for gazettement, will significantly reduce or eliminate hardship allowances for our teachers in affected areas. The process leading to the report and its proposed implementation violates constitutional principles, statutory requirements, and the rights of public servants and affected communities,” it adds.

Continue reading: TSC releases list of new 44 hardship areas 2025

The petitioners further claim that if implemented, the report will demotivate public servants, destabilize communities, and deepen marginalization in already underserved regions. The association is seeking orders to suspend the report’s implementation, compel the government to disclose its criteria, and conduct inclusive public hearings before any changes are effected.

“The selective categorization of hardship zones without an objective and rational framework constitutes unequal treatment. The implementation of the report will cause some disadvantaged regions to be removed from hardship status while others remain, without clear criteria, violating the equality clause,” it read.

Kethawa further argues that the proposal undermines the right to fair labour practices and remuneration, particularly for educators and civil servants who serve in remote and underserved areas.

“Removing hardship areas, especially in areas still lacking infrastructure, health, education, and security, infringes the residents’ and workers’ rights to accessible and adequate services. The resulting migration of public servants away from these areas due to lack of hardship support will further deepen inequality and marginalization,” they said.

The association says the potential withdrawal of hardship allowances breaches workers’ legitimate expectations, especially those who committed to challenging postings based on the existing benefits.

“The abrupt actions without notice from the Respondents violates the Right to Fair Administrative Action (Article 47). The lack of transparency, documentation, justification, and opportunity to be heard offends the right to fair administrative action,” read the petition.

The association further invokes international obligations, arguing that the proposed changes contravene several treaties Kenya has ratified.

“The Respondents actions are a violation under the ILO Convention No. 131 on Minimum Wage Fixing. Kenya is bound by international labor standards that demand transparency and worker consultation in wage-related adjustments. This unilateral decision is inconsistent with ILO principles of decent work and social justice,” read the petition.

Among the reliefs sought, the petitioners are asking for a declaration that the tabling and planned implementation of the report be halted until full stakeholder engagement is conducted.

Historically, hardship allowances for teachers have varied significantly. In 2019, the lowest-paid teachers received approximately Sh3,055 per month, while the highest-paid earned up to Sh13,479. Subsequent adjustments saw these figures rise, with some teachers receiving between Sh10,900 and Sh38,100.

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However, Kethawa maintains that these amounts remain insufficient given the harsh conditions in which their members operate.

“Take not that failure to incorporate our input in the 2025 to 2029 CBA will be met with all manner of lawful resistance from teachers working in hardship and arid areas as we shall not sit back as discrimination backdating many years back is perpetuated against our members. Your quick and prompt action is hereby called for,” Mr Wangonya Wangenye, Kethawa, National Secretary told the Nation.

Currently, the Civil Service, county governments and State Corporations have 16 areas designated as hardship, the teaching service has 44 while the Judiciary has 21.

TSC News Portal

House allowance per job group (Latest House Allowance Rates)

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The Teachers Service Commission, TSC, pays house allowance to teachers on a monthly basis; alongside their salaries.. This allowance is only paid to all teachers on the TSC payroll.

Teachers receive different rates of house allowances. Two factors influence the rate of Payment of house allowance. These factors are:

  • the teacher’s job group and
  • work station.

Payment of House Allowance based on Work Station

Teachers’ Workstations have been classified, by the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC), thus;

  • Nairobi,
  • Former Major Municipalities (Mombasa, Kisumu, Nakuru, Nyeri, Eldoret, Thika, Kisii, Malindi and Kitale),
  • Other former Municipalities; Ruiru, Kikuyu, Kitui, Machakos, Mlolongo, Athi River, Vihiga, Wote, Mumias, Bomet, Limuru, Kericho, Kimilili, Kakamega, Kapsabet, Kiambu, Bungoma, Webuye, Busia, Runyenjes, Migori, Embu, Homa Bay, Lodwar, Meru, Nyahururu, Nanyuki, Maua, Voi, Siaya, Chuka and Kerugoya/ Kutus
  • Other areas; this include all regions not mentioned in bullet 1-3 above.

Teachers working in Nairobi receive the highest house allowances as opposed to their counterparts working in reserves (other areas).

Payment of House Allowance based on job groups

Similarly, teachers in higher job groups get more house allowances than their counterparts in lower groups.

Read about all other allowances here; Full details on all allowances paid to teachers by TSC.

TSC HOUSE ALLOWANCE RATES FOR TEACHERS

Administrators in Job grades D5 to D2 and working in Nairobi receive the highest monthly house allowance. These teachers pocket Sh50,000 per month.

Here are the latest TSC House Allowance rates per job group and work station;

S/No. JOB GROUP Nairobi Major municipalities* Other municipalities* others
1 B5 6,750 4,500 3,850 3,200
2 C1 10,000 7,500 5,800 4,200
3 C2 16,500 12,800 9,600 7,500
4 C3 28,000 22,000 16,500 13,000
5 C4 28,000 22,000 16,500 13,000
6 C5 35,000 25,500 18,000 20,000
7 D1 45,000 28,000 25,000 20,000
8 D2 50,000 35,000 25,000 20,000
9 D3 50,000 35,000 25,000 20,000
10 D4 50,000 35,000 25,000 20,000
11 D5 50,000 35,000 25,000 20,000

 

Posts with related news;

See the full list of latest TSC Allowances for all teachers.

TSC teacher promotions and new salaries 2021

TSC administrative promotions 2021 lists (How to check if you have been promoted)

TSC list of all appointed Senior Teachers per county: Latest TSC News

TSC reveals criteria used to promote teachers in 2021 (See promotion lists per County and letters)

2021 TSC Promotion results and letters for over 16,000 teachers out

TSC says Promotions of teachers completed (Letters to be dispatched)

TSC Latest guidelines on promotion and appointment of school administrators (Principals, Head Teachers, Deputies, Senior Teachers and Masters)

TSC Promotions 2021

New TSC teachers salary scales 2021

TSC News Portal

TSC allowances (Commuter allowances)

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The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) pays Commuter allowance to all teachers on the payroll. This is an allowance paid to teachers, monthly, to cater for transport costs to duty. Chief Principals at Grade D5 receive the highest amount of monthly commuter allowance. These teachers receive Sh16,000 per month as Commuter allowance.

Senior Principals at grade D4 and Principals at grade D3 get a monthly commuter allowance of Sh14,000.

On their part, Deputy Principals III at grade D2 and Deputy Principal IV & Senior Master II at grade D1 receive Sh12,000 as monthly commuter allowance.

Senior Masters II (grade C5) and Deputy Head Teachers (Grade C4) equally get a commuter allowance of Sh8,000.

Secondary school teachers at grade C3 are paid a monthly commuter allowance of Sh6,000. Note that this is the largest group of secondary school teachers.

The least paid teacher at grade B5 receives a monthly commuter pay of Sh4,000.

Summary of Commuter allowances paid to teachers by TSC

Here is the full table showing the commuter allowances paid to teachers per job group.

S/NO GRADE TSC SCALE FORMER JOB GROUP Commuter Allowance- in Kshs. Per Month
1 B5 5 G 4,000
2 C1 6 H 5,000
3 C2 7 I 5,000
4 C3 8 J 6,000
5 C4 9 K 8,000
6 C5 10 L 8,000
7 D1 11 M 12,000
8 D2 12 N 12,000
9 D3 13 P 14,000
10 D4 14 Q 14,000
11 D5 15  R 16,000
KNEC News Portal, TSC News Portal

TSC hardship allowance rates and areas

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The Teachers Service Commission, TSC, pays extra allowances (hardship allowances) to teachers working in areas classified as hardship. While classifying an area to be a hardship area, the locality must meet any of these conditions:

  • Lack of or unavailability or inaccessibility to food,
  • Inadequate transport and communication network,
  • Limited basic social services and amenities,
  • Persistent harsh climatic conditions like flooding, landslides and drought,
  • Insecurity and high possibility of security threats.

Hardship allowance is therefore paid in an effort to compensate for the cost of living for teachers working in areas designated as hardship. Like stated above, teachers working in hardship areas face a myriad of challenges; from lack of water, flooding to hostile living conditions characterized by constant spates of attacks.

Read also:
Hardship allowances

In December, 2014, the Salaries and Remuneration Commission, SRC, reviewed hardship allowance to be paid at a flat rate for all equivalent grades/ job groups. The Commission effectively abolished the pegging of the hardship allowance as a percentage of basic pay.

The table below summarizes the monthly hardship allowance rates that are paid to teachers working in hardship areas; per job group:

S/NO GRADE TSC SCALE FORMER JOB GROUP Hardship Allowance- in Kshs per Month
1 B5 5 G 6,600
2 C1 6 H 8,200
3 C2 7 I 10,900
4 C3 8 J 12,300
5 C4 9 K 14,650
6 C5 10 L 17,100
7 D1 11 M 27,300
8 D2 12 N 27,300
9 D3 13 P 31,500
10 D4 14 Q 31,500
11 D5 15  R 38,100

 

TSC designated hardship areas.

TSC has designated various areas as hardship. The areas considered as hardship include those that are prone to terrorism, famine and aridity. As of 2012, TSC had about 38 areas approved as hardship.

Currently, teachers teaching in schools located in some parts of the following counties receive monthly hardship allowances.

S/NO. AREA/ COUNTY
1 Garissa County
2 Isiolo County
3 Kilifi County
4 Kwale County
5 Lamu County
6 Mandera County
7 Marsabit County
8 Narok County
9 Samburu County
10 Taita Taveta County
11 Tana River County
12 Turkana
13 Wajir County
14 West Pokot County