Counties and Sub-counties Listed by TSC As Hardship Areas in Kenya

counties and subcounties listed as hardship areas

Teaching is a noble profession where educators shape future generations in government-run schools overseen by the Teachers Service Commission (TSC).

However, some teachers are assigned to challenging areas, known as hardship regions, by the TSC.

Understanding Hardship Areas

Hardship areas in Kenya are regions facing extreme difficulties such as inadequate infrastructure, limited access to basic amenities like power, clean water, and healthcare.

These regions are often remote and underserved.

Compensation in Hardship Areas

Teachers working in these underdeveloped regions receive additional stipends known as hardship allowances.

The amount varies based on the teacher’s job group, irrespective of the specific hardship region they serve in.

Designated Hardship Regions

The TSC designates certain areas prone to terrorism, famine, or extreme weather as hardship regions. Teachers in schools located within these designated areas are entitled to a monthly hardship allowance. This counties include:

Baringo North, Tiaty East, Tiaty West, and Marigat sub-counties in Baringo County.
Garissa County
Suba and Mbita sub-counties in Homa Bay County
Isiolo County
Mashuuru, Loitoktok, and Kajiado West sub-counties in Kajiado County
Kwale County
Magarini and Ganze in Kilifi County
Lamu County
Mandera County
Marsabit County
Mumoni, Mutito North, and Tseikuru Sub-Counties in Kitui County
Narok South and Narok North sub-counties in Narok County
Samburu County
Taita Taveta County
Tana River County
Turkana County
Wajir County
West Pokot County

Hardship areas — Subcounties

Baringo North, Tiaty East, Tiaty West, and Marigat sub-counties in Baringo County, Garissa County, Suba and Mbita sub-counties in Homa Bay County, Isiolo County, Mashuuru, Loitoktok, and Kajiado West sub-counties in Kajiado County, Kwale County, Magarini and Ganze in Kilifi County, Lamu County, Mandera County, Marsabit County, Mumoni, Mutito North, and Tseikuru Sub-Counties in Kitui County, Narok South and Narok North sub-counties in Narok County, Samburu County, Taita Taveta County, Tana River County, Turkana County, Wajir County, and West Pokot County.

How To Know About Specific TSC Gazeetted Hardship Areas

Teachers who are uncertain about whether a particular place is designated as a hardship area can easily find out by contacting their respective Teachers Service Commission (TSC) county and sub-county director.

These directors have up-to-date information about the designation of hardship areas.

Alternatively, teachers can also consult with their colleagues, especially those who have been teaching in the area for some time, as they may have firsthand knowledge of the hardship designation status of the location in question.

Updated Hardship Zone List

As of December 1, 2020, the TSC has stopped the payment of hardship allowances in specific sub-counties, including Nyandarua, Kigumo, Murang’a, Kandara, and Nyahururu.

This update affects teachers previously receiving hardship allowances in these regions.

Areas Not Designated as Hardship:

Nyandarua – All sub-counties
Kigumo sub-county
Murang’a sub-county
Kandara sub-county
Nyahururu sub-county

While teaching is a rewarding profession, educators working in hardship areas face unique challenges.

The TSC’s periodic updates to the hardship zone list reflect its commitment to ensuring fair compensation for teachers serving in these regions.

Hardship Allowances per Job Group

Grade	Allowance
B5	6600
C1	8200
C2	10900
C3	12300
C4	14650
C5	17100
D1	27300
D2	27300
D3	31500
D4	31500
D5	38100

TSC GRADING STRUCTURE

TABLE 1 – JOB TITLES AND SCALES
S/No.	TITLES	GRADE	T- SCALE
1.	Chief Principal	D5	T-Scale 15
2.	Senior Principal	D4	T-Scale 14
3.	Principal	D3	T-Scale 13
	Deputy Principal I
4.	Deputy Principal II	D2	T-Scale 12
	Senior Master I
	Senior Lecturer I
5.	Senior Master II	D1	T-Scale 11
	Deputy Principal III
	Senior Head teacher
	Senior Lecturer II
	Curriculum Support Officer I
6.		C5	T-Scale 10
	Senior Master III
	Senior Lecturer III
	Head teacher
	Deputy Head teacher I
	Curriculum Support Officer II
7.	Senior Lecturer IV	C4	T-Scale 9
	Senior Master IV
	SNE Senior Teacher – Primary
	SNE Teacher I – Secondary
	Deputy Head teacher II
8.	Secondary Teacher I	C3	T-Scale 8
	Lecturer I
	SNE Teacher I – Primary
	SNE Teacher II – Secondary
	Senior Teacher I
9.	Secondary Teacher II	C2	T-Scale 7
	SNE Teacher II – Primary
	Lecturer II
	Senior Teacher II

10.	Secondary Teacher III	C1	T-Scale 6
	Lecturer III
	Primary Teacher I

11.	Primary Teacher II	B5	T-Scale 5

FAQs On TSC Hardship Allowances

Q: What are hardship areas in Kenya?

A: Hardship areas in Kenya are regions facing extreme difficulties such as inadequate infrastructure, limited access to basic amenities like power, clean water, and healthcare.

These regions are often remote and underserved.

Q: How are teachers compensated in hardship areas?

A: Teachers working in hardship areas receive additional stipends known as hardship payments.

The amount varies based on the teacher’s job group, irrespective of the specific hardship region they serve in as shown in the table provided.

Q: What criteria qualify a place to be designated as a hardship area?

A: Insecurity, poor weather circumstances, and other extreme difficulties such as inadequate infrastructure and limited access to basic amenities are criteria that qualify a place to be designated as a hardship area.

Q: Which counties and sub-counties in Kenya are designated as hardship areas?

A: The Teacher Service Commission (TSC) has designated several counties and sub-counties as hardship areas. These include Baringo North, Tiaty East, Tiaty West, and Marigat sub-counties in Baringo County; Garissa County; Suba and Mbita sub-counties in Homa Bay County; and others as listed in the article.

Q: How can teachers find out if a specific place is designated as a hardship area?

A: Teachers can contact the respective Teachers Service Commission (TSC) county and sub-county director or consult with colleagues who may have information regarding the designation of a particular place as a hardship area.

Q: Is there a list of hardship areas that is regularly updated?

A: Yes, the TSC periodically updates the list of hardship areas. As of December 1, 2020, the TSC has stopped the payment of hardship allowances in specific sub-counties, including Nyandarua, Kigumo, Murang’a, Kandara, and Nyahururu.

Q: Are there areas in Kenya that are not designated as hardship areas?

A: Yes, there are areas in Kenya that are not designated as hardship areas. These include all sub-counties in Nyandarua, Kigumo sub-county, Murang’a sub-county, Kandara sub-county, and Nyahururu sub-county.