National Assembly Education Committee chairperson Julius Melly during 2026 budget policy statement presentation session at Bunge Towers on February 19, 2026. /DOUGLAS OKIDDY

Read Also
Mecha eyes KRU Championship as Kisii Poly set for Kabarak showdown Rugby
Wanyonyi to reignite rivalry with Arop, Sedjati in Oslo Athletics
KSSSA Nyanza region to roll out digital player verification to curb cheating Sports

The National Assembly Committee on Education has directed the Teachers Service Commission to issue a circular compelling school principals to release certificates held over non-payment of fees.

Enjoying this article? Subscribe for unlimited access to premium sports coverage.
View Plans

Committee chairperson Tinderet MP Julius Melly said the government already covers examination fees for students and as such, there is no justification for school principals to withhold the certificates.

"So we really want all those certificates to be released to parents or to students or the owners. At no time should the principals retain the certificates again," Melly said.

The committee declared the retention of certificates—often over unpaid fees—as illegal, saying such practices hinder opportunities for graduates.

"The ministry already issued a circular banning that practice. We direct TSC to make a public announcement reminding all teachers that withholding certificates is illegal,” Melly said.

TSC Acting CEO Eveleen Mitei appeared before the committee to table the commission's 2026 Budget Policy Statement.

Committee members pressed the commission further to urgently enforce the directive, noting that thousands of students across the country have been unable to collect their certificates, limiting access to jobs and further education.

“It goes against labour and education laws to deny a child their certificate for school fees arrears,” Nyamira Woman Representative Jerusha Momanyi said.

Mitei acknowledged the concern and assured the committee that TSC would issue the directive to all schools through county education offices. She said the commission remains committed to compliance and accountability within the teaching service.

During the session, the commission tabled a proposed budgetary allocation of Sh422.96 billion for the 2026-27 financial year.

Mitei told the committee the funds include Sh1.9 billion needed to hire 16,000 new teachers and for the conversion of 20,000 interns to permanent and pensionable terms.

Responding to the committee's concerns about delays in teacher promotions, inequitable distribution of projects and the integration of teachers into the Social Health Authority medical cover, Mitei told the MPs that the commission is facing a Sh10 billion funding gap for teachers' universal health cover.

She said the proposed expenditure stands at Sh16.5 billion against a requirement of Sh26.5 billion, leaving a deficit of Sh10 billion.

She said the rising teacher population due to new recruitments has increased the expenditure for medical cover.

The commission said it has so far on-boarded more than 400,000 teachers and 1,000,000 dependents onto SHA.

Meanwhile, TSC said it requires an additional Sh700 million for necessary infrastructure such as office space, furniture and ICT connectivity to efficiently run its functions after decentralising its services to regions, counties and subcounties.

It said it needs operational budgets and motor vehicles to facilitate the optimal running of the decentralised offices.

"The funds allocated to the commission, however, have not matched these resource requirements, thereby leading to strain in the provision of quality services," Mitei said.

She said the commission has so far built three county offices and will need to train 150 field officers on the management of discipline cases and 700 staff, and fix 200 subcounties with internet connectivity.