The ceremony is currently underway at the Kasarani Indoor ArenaThe long-awaited World Teachers’ Day ceremony is currently underway at the Kasarani Indoor Arena as the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) unveils its Roll of Honour, recognising outstanding educators as it marks 60 years since the 1966 ILO/UNESCO Recommendation that first set global standards for the teaching profession.
President William Ruto is the chief guest at the national celebrations alongside senior government officials, teacher union leaders and TSC commissioners.
The event, held under the theme “Standing with teachers: 60 years of protecting the profession, advancing its status and shaping our futures”, blends festivity with formal recognition as the commission spotlights teachers whose work has gone beyond routine duty to deliver measurable impact in classrooms across Kenya.
A milestone moment for the profession World Teachers’ Day is observed annually on October 5, but the 2026 edition carries added weight as it coincides with the 60th anniversary of the international instrument that first codified teachers’ rights, responsibilities and working conditions.
TSC has framed the day not only as a celebration but as a reaffirmation of commitment to safeguarding and elevating the status of teachers after six decades of policy efforts.
The Kasarani ceremony follows a week of build-up activities, including the “Teachers Run” marathon held on Sunday, September 27, which saw simultaneous races at all eight TSC regional headquarters in Nairobi, Nakuru, Nyeri, Embu, Kakamega, Kisumu, Mombasa and Garissa.
The teachers being honoured passed through a rigorous, evidence-based selection process designed to be transparent, objective and grounded in verifiable impact.
The journey began with open nominations, which closed on August 26, 2026.
Teachers were allowed to nominate themselves, a colleague or the head of their institution, provided they were registered and either serving or retired from recognised Kenyan learning institutions.
Nominees were required to demonstrate contributions beyond routine duties, backed by evidence such as institutional records, learner outcomes, testimonials, awards, certificates, photographs and publications.
From August 27 to 29, the Recognition and Awards Sub-Committee conducted an eligibility check, producing a longlist of nominees who met both general and category-specific criteria.
The Recognition and Awards Sub-Committee concluded the process by confirming the best three national awardees per category for recognition during the World Teachers’ Day celebrations.
In total, there are 13,728 award slots at sub-county level, 1,551 at county level, 495 at regional level and 297 at national level, amounting to 16,071 progressive recognition slots.
Teachers recognised under the National Honours and International Recognition categories will also be acknowledged separately.
The awards span 13 categories, each targeting distinct forms of excellence in teaching and school leadership.
These are Lifetime Achievement Award (minimum 20 years’ experience); Early Years Educator Award; Sustainable Development Educator Award; Early Career Educator Award (five years or less’ experience); School Leadership Excellence Award; Inclusive Educator Award; Child Protection Champion Award; Co-curricular and Talent Development Award; Teacher Mentor Award; Innovation and ICT Integration in Teaching Award (contributions from 2025); Most Resilient Teacher Award; National Honours Award and International Recognition Award.
Judges assessed nominees on relevance to teaching and learning, measurable impact, innovation, inclusivity, sustainability, potential for wider adoption, professional or institutional impact, credibility of evidence and alignment with national education priorities.
The day’s programme at Kasarani began at 6am with registration and breakfast, followed by entertainment from the TSC Choir and the Coast Teachers Choir, who performed songs, poems and shairi.
As the ceremony unfolds, the focus remains firmly on the teachers being honoured—educators whose dedication, innovation and resilience have shaped learners’ lives and strengthened Kenya’s education system.
