National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula has come under pressure from teachers’ unions after revealing that some MPs receive Teachers Service Commission (TSC) employment letters during visits to State House.
The remarks have triggered fresh concerns over political interference in the recruitment of teachers and the independence of the constitutional commission.
Wetang’ula said some MPs are taken to State House and given several teacher appointment letters for distribution to constituents. He also alleged that some politicians later sell the slots.
Wetang’ula reveals State House link
Speaking over the weekend, Wetang’ula said some MPs receive as many as 10 TSC employment letters during visits to State House.
“There are some MPs whom I take to the president, and they are given as many as 10 teachers’ employment letters. Yet, you later hear that they have been selling those letters,” Wetang’ula said.
He described the alleged sale of employment opportunities as immoral, citing the case of a parent who was allegedly asked to pay Ksh400,000 to secure a teaching job for her child.
Wetang’ula’s remarks have raised questions about how teacher recruitment is conducted, particularly because TSC is an independent constitutional commission.
The disclosure comes as TSC prepares to recruit 20,000 teachers on permanent and pensionable terms for junior schools.
Unions demand answers
Kuppet Deputy Secretary General Moses Nthurima described Wetang’ula’s disclosure as unfortunate, saying political distribution of appointment letters would undermine merit based recruitment.
“Wetang’ula is a lawyer and knows the status of the commission under our Constitution. When he says that MPs are getting letters from the TSC to dish out, sell or distribute to their cronies and relatives, I think that is very unfortunate,” Nthurima said.
He said TSC has a recruitment policy that considers factors such as graduation dates and performance during interviews.
Nthurima questioned what happens to qualified teachers who follow the official recruitment process if appointment letters are handed to politicians.
“If appointment letters are being given to politicians to distribute to their cronies and relatives, then what happens to those teachers who have followed the proper process?” he asked.
He further warned that continued political interference could create a system where teachers need political connections to secure employment.
Kethawa backs concerns
Kethawa National Secretary Ndung’u Wangenye said Wetang’ula’s remarks had confirmed concerns that teachers’ unions have raised over political interference in recruitment.
“We have been saying that MPs are interfering and trying to influence the employment of teachers, but now this is a confirmation from the Speaker of the National Assembly,” Wangenye said.
He questioned what the alleged practice would mean for unemployed teachers who have completed interviews and met the recruitment requirements but lack political connections.
Wangenye called for scrutiny of TSC’s recruitment process and the commission’s independence.
Knut raises alarm
Knut Deputy Secretary General Hesbon Otieno said the allegations could no longer be ignored, particularly because they had come from a senior constitutional office holder.
“It is even more serious considering that this is coming from one of the country’s highest constitutional offices and is touching on the very highest office,” Otieno said.
He said political connections could explain why some qualified teachers repeatedly apply for vacancies without securing employment.
“There are people who have applied not once, not twice, not five times, even 10 times, and they deserve to get the opportunity, but they are not getting it. Then you have other people getting the chance through connections,” he said.
TSC defends recruitment
TSC acting Chief Executive Officer Evaleen Mitei defended the commission’s recruitment process, saying it is conducted competitively and in accordance with the Constitution and the law.
Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba also addressed concerns over the alleged sale of employment letters, describing the practice as criminal.
Ogamba said the ministry would work with TSC to address the issue and improve transparency in recruitment data.
The controversy now places renewed focus on the independence of TSC and whether teacher employment opportunities are being allocated strictly through the commission’s established recruitment procedures.
