In higher eukaryotes, efficient chromosome congression relies, among other players, on the activity of chromokinesins. Here, we provide a quantitative analysis of kinetochore oscillations and positioning in S. Pombe, a model organism lacking chromokinesins. In wild type cells, chromosomes align during prophase and while oscillating, maintain this alignment throughout metaphase. Chromosome oscillations are dispensable both for kinetochore congression and stable kinetochore alignment during metaphase. In higher eukaryotes, Kinesin-8 controls chromosome congression by regulating their oscillations. Oppositely, we demonstrate that fission yeast Kinesin-8 controls chromosome congression by an alternative mechanism. We propose that Kinesin-8 aligns chromosomes by controlling pulling forces in a length dependent manner. A coarse grained model of chromosome segregation implemented with a length-dependent process that controls the force at kinetochores is necessary and sufficient to mimic kinetochore alignment and prevents the appearance of lagging chromosomes. Altogether, these data illustrate how the local action of a motor protein at kinetochores provides spatial cues within the spindle to align chromosomes and to prevent aneuploidy.