Designated Hardship Areas in Kenya 2025 – Who Qualifies for Allowances?

Designated Hardship Areas in Kenya’s Public Service (2025 Update)

The Government of Kenya classifies certain regions as hardship areas due to difficult living conditions, poor infrastructure, or harsh environmental factors. Employees in these regions—especially in the Civil Service, Teachers Service Commission (TSC), and Judiciary—are entitled to additional compensation in the form of hardship allowances.

This updated list for 2025 includes entire counties, specific towns or centers, and divisions recognized by various public service bodies.

🏛 Civil Service / Parastatal Hardship Areas

These counties are fully recognized as hardship areas for civil service employees:

1. Tana River
2. Lamu
3. Garissa
4. Wajir
5. Mandera
6. Marsabit
7. Isiolo
8. Makueni
9. Turkana
10. West Pokot
11. Samburu
12. Elgeyo Marakwet
13. Baringo
14. Bomet (Sub-counties only)
15. Narok
16. Taita Taveta (Mganga area in Mbololo Ward)

Total: 16 hardship areas

⚖️ Judiciary Hardship Areas (Towns/Centres)

The following towns are recognized by the Judicial Service Commission for hardship allowances:

• Daadab
• Garissa
• Garsen
• Habaswein
• Hola
• Kabarnet
• Kakuma
• Kapenguria
• Kehancha
• Kitui
• Lodwar
• Lamu
• Mandera
• Maralal
• Marsabit
• Marimanti
• Moyale
• Mutomo
• Mwingi
• Taveta
• Wajir

Total: 21 hardship towns/centres

👩‍🏫 Teachers Service Commission (TSC) Hardship Areas

Teachers in these areas are recognized for hardship allowance under the TSC:

1. Suba – Mfangano & Rusinga Islands
2. Kuria – Kegonga Division
3. Bula – Bula division
4. Kejaldio – Entire district
5. Nakuru – Mogotio & Makongeni divisions
6. Laikipia – Lower Subukia
7. Kitui – Entire District
8. Kajiado – Entire District
9. Keiyo – Entire District
10. West Pokot – Entire District
11. Samburu – Laisamis & Samburu Divisions
12. Trans Mara – Entire District
13. Marakwet – Entire District
14. Tharaka – Entire District
15. Malindi – Marafa, Magarini, Kakuyuni
16. Machakos – Yatta, Masinga
17. Nyeri – Kieni Division
18. Kiambu – Ndeiya & Karai
19. Murang’a – Mukuyu Division
20. Nyandarua – Nyahururu
21. Nyandarua – Njabini Division
22. Kericho – Divisions listed
23. Kisumu – Muhoroni, Sondu
24. Thika – Kakuyu
25. Koibatek – Kingorani
26. Narok – Loita, Osupuko, Mara, Olulunga
27. Makueni – Entire District
28. Isiolo – Entire District
29. Moyale – Entire District
30. Marsabit – Entire District
31. Garissa – Entire District
32. Mandera – Entire District
33. Wajir – Entire District
34. Lamu – Entire District
35. Tana River – Entire District
36. Taita Taveta – Entire District
37. Baringo – Entire District
38. Samburu – Entire District
39. Turkana – Entire District
40. West Pokot – Entire District
41. Tana – Entire District
42. Nandi – Ndalat, Kabiyet
43. Njeri – Mukurweini, Othaya
44. Nyambene – Various locations in Igembe East and West

Total: 54 designated hardship areas

✅ Conclusion

The hardship allowance system in Kenya is meant to motivate and support public service workers who operate in remote, harsh, or underdeveloped regions. Whether you're a teacher, civil servant, or judicial officer, it’s important to stay informed about which regions qualify for these benefits.

Check this list to see if your work location qualifies for a hardship allowance.