Proposed TSC Law Could Restrict Teachers From Side Hustles
Kenyan teachers could face new restrictions on running side businesses if proposed amendments to the Teachers Service Commission law are approved by Parliament.
The Teachers Service Commission (Amendment) Bill, 2026, which is before the National Assembly, proposes to treat engagement in other gainful employment while serving under the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) as a disciplinary offence.
The proposal has drawn attention because many teachers supplement their salaries through farming, retail businesses, transport services, consultancy and other income-generating activities.
What the proposed law says
According to reporting on the Bill, the proposed amendments would add engagement in other gainful employment to the list of conduct that can attract disciplinary action in the teaching service.
The Bill does not, however, set out a detailed list of activities that would automatically count as prohibited side employment. That leaves important questions about how the rule would apply to teachers who farm, run shops, offer professional services or invest in other businesses outside school hours.
The proposal is not yet law
The National Assembly currently lists the Teachers Service Commission (Amendment) Bill, 2026 among Bills before Parliament. This means the proposal is still going through the legislative process and has not yet taken effect as a blanket ban on teachers’ side hustles.
Any final restrictions would depend on the text approved by Parliament and subsequent assent into law.
Why the proposal matters to teachers
Side businesses are common among salaried workers, including teachers, particularly in areas such as farming, small retail enterprises and consultancy. If enacted in its current form, the proposed provision could require clearer guidance on what counts as “other gainful employment” and whether passive investments or activities outside official working hours would be affected.
Teachers and unions are therefore likely to focus on how the provision is defined, enforced and reconciled with existing public-service ethics requirements.
Other disciplinary changes in the Bill
The proposed amendments also seek to strengthen disciplinary provisions covering serious misconduct, including sexual exploitation of learners, misuse of school funds, procurement violations, absenteeism, insubordination, forgery, theft and conduct involving illicit drugs.
The Bill proposes severe sanctions for teachers found guilty of certain offences involving learners or professional misconduct.
What teachers should do now
For now, teachers should note that the side-hustle restriction remains a proposal, not an already-enforced TSC-wide ban. Those affected should follow updates from Parliament, TSC and recognised teacher unions as the Bill moves through the legislative process.
