The Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) is sounding the alarm over what it calls persistent political interference in the hiring and promotion of teachers a trend the union says is locking out qualified graduates while deepening the teacher shortage across the country.
In a strongly-worded statement issued during a teachers’ forum in Kajiado, KNUT National Deputy Chairperson Malel Lang’at called on the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) to restore integrity to the recruitment process.
“Deserving teachers are sitting at home jobless, while politicians hand out employment letters like campaign goodies,” said Lang’at. “We’re demanding a system based on merit and fairness, not political favours.”
Lang’at didn’t mince words as he claimed that some politicians have been collecting appointment letters directly from TSC offices, only to distribute them during rallies a practice he likened to “auctioning” public jobs for political gain.
He urged Evaleen Mitei, the newly appointed CEO of the TSC, to clean up the system and ensure her leadership isn’t tainted by past irregularities.
“This is a moment for the new CEO to show that the TSC can stand independently, and serve teachers not politicians,” Lang’at said.
Joining the call for reforms was Elly Korinko, KNUT’s Kajiado Branch Secretary, who expressed concern over rumors that hardship allowances could be reviewed or scrapped altogether.
He warned that any changes to the allowance especially for teachers serving in remote and marginalized counties would not only be unfair but would also risk pushing educators out of already underserved areas.
“Teachers posted to hardship areas sacrifice a lot. Interfering with their allowances or affirmative action policies will kill morale,” Korinko said.
Pattern of Political Interference
Lang’at and Korinko’s remarks reflect growing frustration within the teaching profession over what many see as a blurring of lines between public service and politics.
In recent years, reports have emerged from various parts of the country suggesting that recruitment and promotion letters are being used as political tools rewarding loyalty rather than competence.
KNUT leaders say this not only demoralizes committed teachers but undermines the credibility of the entire education system.
“We cannot have a future where teaching jobs go to the highest bidder or the loudest political cheerleader,” said Lang’at. “This must stop.”
The union’s concerns come at a time when the TSC itself is facing tough questions over its financial accountability. Just last month, Auditor General Nancy Gathungu flagged serious irregularities in the Commission’s payroll system in her report for the financial year ending June 2024.
According to the report, the TSC overpaid some teachers by Ksh433.9 million, largely due to outdated manual reporting and processing systems.
So far, only Ksh222.3 million has been recovered leaving an outstanding balance of Ksh211.6 million still unaccounted for.
The revelations have prompted questions in Parliament, with some legislators calling for a complete overhaul of the Commission’s systems to prevent further losses.
As pressure mounts from both unions and Parliament, all eyes are now on the new TSC leadership to clean house and restore public confidence in an institution that plays a critical role in shaping the nation’s future.