TSC Per Diem Rates [All You Need To Know]

What is per diem in Kenya? Per Diem Rates for Teachers in Kenya

Per diems are per day allowances normally given for upkeep of staff when on official travel.

Per diem, derived from the Latin term “per day,” refers to daily allowances provided to staff during official travel.

In Kenya, the Salaries and Remuneration Committee (SRC) is responsible for setting standard per diem rates for civil servants, covering expenses such as lodging, meals, and other incidental costs.

Recently, the SRC updated changes to the per diem rates in Kenya for civil servants including the TSC staff.

These rates are categorized into clusters, each associated with specific travel destinations and job groups.

Cluster 1 Rates

Cluster 1 rates are applicable when civil servants travel to major cities like Nairobi, Kisumu, Mombasa, and Nakuru.

The rates vary based on job groups:

Job groups A to E: Ksh. 4,200
Job groups F to J: Ksh. 6,300
Job groups K to N/ State Officer Grade D4: Ksh. 11,200
Job groups P to R/ State Officer Grades E2, E1, and D5: Ksh. 14,000
Job groups S to T/ State Officer Grades E3 and E4: Ksh. 16,800
Job groups U to V/ State Officer Grades F1, F2, and E5: Ksh. 18,200
State Officer Grade F4: Ksh. 22,000

Cluster 2 Rates

Cluster 2 rates apply to civil servants traveling to county headquarters, Malindi, and Naivasha.

The rates, again, vary by job group:

Job groups A to E: Ksh. 3,500
Job groups F to J: Ksh. 4,900
Job groups K to N/ State Officer Grade D4: Ksh. 8,400
Job groups P to R/ State Officer Grades E2, E1, and D5: Ksh. 10,500
Job groups S to T/ State Officer Grades E3 and E4: Ksh. 12,600
Job groups U to V/ State Officer Grades F1, F2, and E5: Ksh. 14,600
State Officer Grade F4: Ksh. 18,000

Cluster 3 Rates

Civil servants visiting towns not listed in Cluster 1 and 2 fall under Cluster 3 rates, varying by job group:

Job groups A to E: Ksh. 3,000
Job groups F to J: Ksh. 4,200
Job groups K to N/ State Officer Grade D4: Ksh. 7,000
Job groups P to R/ State Officer Grades E2, E1, and D5: Ksh. 8,400
Job groups S to T/ State Officer Grades E3 and E4: Ksh. 10,500
Job groups U to V/ State Officer Grades F1, F2, and E5: Ksh. 12,500
State Officer Grade F4: Ksh. 14,000

Beyond Per Diem: Additional Allowances

The SRC periodically reviews salaries and allowances for civil servants.

Apart from per diem, civil servants also receive hardship and house allowances.

Hardship Allowances

Hardship allowances compensate for the cost of living in designated hardship zones.

The rates are uniform across job groups:

A: Ksh. 2,800
B and C: Ksh. 3,000
D: Ksh. 3,300
E: Ksh. 3,700
F: Ksh. 4,300
G: Ksh. 5,700
H: Ksh. 6,600
J: Ksh. 8,200
K: Ksh. 10,900
L: Ksh. 12,300
M: Ksh. 14,650
N: Ksh. 17,100
P: Ksh. 27,300
Q: Ksh. 31,500
R: Ksh. 38,100
S: Ksh. 45,000
T: Ksh. 60,000

House Allowances

Every civil servant is entitled to a house allowance, which varies by location:

Nairobi

A to C: Ksh. 3,750
D: Ksh. 4,125
E and F: Ksh. 4,500
G and H: Ksh. 6,750
J: Ksh. 10,000
K: Ksh. 16,500
L and M: Ksh. 28,000
N: Ksh. 35,000
P and Q: Ksh. 45,000
R: Ksh. 50,000
S: Ksh. 60,000
T: Ksh. 80,000

County Headquarters

Rates for major county headquarters differ but are higher than in other areas:

A to C: Ksh. 3,125
D: Ksh. 3,375
E and F: Ksh. 3,730
G and H: Ksh. 4,500
J: Ksh. 7,500
K: Ksh. 12,800
L and M: Ksh. 22,000
N: Ksh. 25,500
P and Q: Ksh. 28,000
R: Ksh. 35,000
S: Ksh. 56,000

Other Areas

For all other locations in Kenya:

A to C: Ksh. 2,250
D: Ksh. 2,375
E and F: Ksh. 2,700
G and H: Ksh. 3,200
J: Ksh. 4,200
K: Ksh. 7,500
L and M: Ksh. 13,000
N: Ksh. 15,400
P and Q: Ksh. 16,800
R: Ksh. 20,000

Conclusion

In summary, understanding TSC per diem rates in Kenya is crucial for civil servants undertaking official travel.

The SRC’s structured approach ensures fair compensation for expenses, making work-related trips more manageable for public servants across various job groups and locations.

Stay informed about these rates to navigate your professional journeys seamlessly.

(Frequently Asked Questions) FAQs on TSC Per Diem Rates

1. What is per diem in Kenya?

Per diem in Kenya refers to daily allowances provided to staff during official travel.

It covers expenses such as lodging, meals, and other incidental costs.

2. Who sets the per diem rates for civil servants in Kenya?

The Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) is responsible for setting standard per diem rates for civil servants, including TSC staff.

These rates are periodically reviewed and updated by the SRC.

3. How are per diem rates structured in Kenya?

Per diem rates in Kenya are structured into clusters based on travel destinations and job groups.

There are three clusters, each with different rates depending on the destination and job group.

4. What are the rates for Cluster 1 destinations?

For Cluster 1 destinations, which include major cities like Nairobi, Kisumu, Mombasa, and Nakuru, the rates vary by job group.

They range from Ksh. 4,200 for Job groups A to E to Ksh. 22,000 for State Officer Grade F4.

5. What are the rates for Cluster 2 destinations?

Cluster 2 rates apply to civil servants traveling to county headquarters, Malindi, and Naivasha.

The rates range from Ksh. 3,500 for Job groups A to E to Ksh. 18,000 for State Officer Grade F4.

6. What are the rates for Cluster 3 destinations?

Civil servants visiting towns not listed in Cluster 1 and 2 fall under Cluster 3 rates.

These rates range from Ksh. 3,000 for Job groups A to E to Ksh. 14,000 for State Officer Grade F4.

7. Are there additional allowances for civil servants apart from per diem?

Yes, apart from per diem, civil servants also receive hardship and house allowances.

The hardship allowances compensate for the cost of living in designated hardship zones, while the house allowances vary by location.

8. How often are per diem rates reviewed and updated?

The SRC periodically reviews salaries and allowances for civil servants, including per diem rates.

The rates are adjusted to reflect changes in the cost of living and other relevant factors.