Kitui Senator Enoch Wambua has sought a statement from the Standing Committee on Education regarding the welfare of teachers serving in ASAL and other hard-to-serve areas in Kitui County.

"Kitui County is predominantly an arid region. However, a significant number of teachers in the county do not benefit from the special allowances and considerations provided by the TSC for those serving in ASAL and other hard-to-serve areas," he stated.

In the statement, the Committee is requested to address the wards in Kitui County that the government has designated as ASAL and hard-to-serve areas.

It should also provide clarity on the criteria used by the government to designate areas as ASAL and hard-to-serve.

Wambua further wants information on the number of teachers in Kitui County who are currently benefiting from the ASAL and hard-to-serve areas allowance scheme, as well as the number of those who are not.

The Committee should state the plans by the Teachers Service Commission to ensure that all deserving teachers in Kitui County benefit from the ASAL and hard-to-serve allowance scheme.

In Kenya, teachers working in Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASAL) are entitled to special allowances, including hardship allowances to compensate for the challenging living and working conditions. 

These allowances are administered by the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) and are often a key part of collective bargaining agreements between the TSC and teachers' unions.

The hardship allowance is designed to compensate teachers for the difficult living conditions, limited access to amenities, and other hardships associated with working in ASAL areas. 

Besides hardship allowances, teachers in ASAL areas may also be eligible for other allowances, such as house allowance, commuter allowance, and responsibility allowance, depending on their specific circumstances and the provisions of the relevant CBA.