Teachers Want Time Off to Run for Political Positions in 2027
Teachers are asking for official time off so they can run for election positions in the upcoming 2027 general election.
Through Malel Langat, the deputy secretary general of the Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT), they expressed their desire to compete for six seats without having to give up their teaching certificates or jobs, unlike other professionals such as lawyers and doctors.
Currently, the law requires teachers to resign before running for office, but they believe this should change so they can return to teaching if they don’t win.
The union is suggesting a 90-day leave for campaigning and elections. This way, if they don’t succeed, they still have their jobs to fall back on.
During a meeting in Mombasa on May 3, 2025, Mr. Malel also urged the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) to promote teachers who have been in the same job group for three years.
Additionally, he is asking for a 60% salary increase as part of their new agreement for 2025-2029. This includes a 30% raise in allowances and another 30% increase in basic salaries.
He also called for a risk allowance for science teachers working with junior secondary schools.
The TSC has previously prohibited teachers from engaging in political activities. In a notice issued on December 1, 2020, TSC leader Dr. Nancy Macharia warned that any teacher or staff member found guilty of this would face consequences.
Here is the full notice from the TSC:
RESTRICTION OF EMPLOYEES OF THE TEACHERS SERVICE COMMISSION FROM PARTICIPATING AND/OR ENGAGING IN ACTIVITIES AND AFFAIRS OF POLITICAL PARTIES
The above captioned matter refers.
The Commission is in receipt of a Circular, Ref: EACC.7/10/4 VOL.VII (61) dated 1/10/2020, amplifying the above provisions of the law.
Pursuant to the provisions of Article 77(2) of the Constitution of Kenya as read together with section 23 of the Leadership and Integrity Act, 2012; section 12 of the Political Parties Act, 2011; and regulation 187 of the Code of Regulation for Teachers, Clause 166 of the Human Resource Policies & Procedure Manual for Secretariat Staff, public officers are prohibited from holding office and/or actively engaging in political activities.
Accordingly, this is to remind all employees of the Commission of the explicit positions of the law prohibiting them from taking part in any active political engagements while still in service of the Commission; and further requiring them to refrain from:
1. holding office in a political party;
2. engaging in a political activity that may compromise or be seen to compromise the political neutrality the office they hold;
3. publicly indicating support for or opposition to any political party or candidate in an election; and
4. engaging in activities of any political party or candidate, or act as an agent of a political party or candidate in an election.
In congruence with the spirit of national values and good governance under the Constitution which includes impartiality and political neutrality, it is vital for all employees of the Commission to adhere to strict observance of the law in respect hereof by abstaining from taking part in political engagements.
In this regard, all employees of the Commission are directed to shun partisan political activities while in active public service.
The Commission further brings to your attention that any of its employees who currently holds and/or engages in political activities is in violation of the law and is liable to disciplinary action.
This is therefore to advice such an employee to immediately resign from such office.
Further, any breach of the directions of this Circular shall result in disciplinary action.
All County Directors are hereby directed to bring the contents of this Circular to the attention of ALL the officers and teachers serving under them.
Likewise, all Institutional Heads are equally directed to bring the contents of this Circular to ALL teachers and to post the same on school/staffroom notice boards for ease of reference by teachers.
Employees of the Commission may also access this Circular from TSC official website: www.tsc.go.ke”
