- Teachers’ President Mambo George says qualified teachers should never require political connections to secure public employment.
- He wants allegations surrounding politicians’ access to TSC appointment letters investigated to protect the Commission’s independence.
- Mambo says merit, equity and transparency must determine recruitment as thousands of qualified teachers continue seeking permanent jobs.
Teachers should not be forced to rely on politicians to secure employment opportunities at the Teachers Service Commission (TSC), Machakos KUPPET Branch Governing Council member and Teachers’ President Mambo George has said.
Mambo strongly condemned remarks attributed to National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula alleging that some Members of Parliament who accompany him to State House receive TSC appointment letters in batches for distribution.
He said the remarks were disturbing and raised serious questions about the independence, integrity and credibility of teacher recruitment in Kenya.
“These remarks are deeply disturbing and raise serious questions about the independence, integrity and credibility of teacher recruitment in Kenya,” Mambo said.
He noted that there have also been public allegations of MPs receiving between 10 and 15 TSC appointment letters and distributing them through political networks.
More seriously, Mambo said, allegations that some appointment letters are sold to desperate job seekers for up to Sh400,000 must be investigated.
He said such claims, if proven, would amount to exploitation of qualified teachers who have spent years searching for permanent employment.
Teachers waiting years for employment
Mambo pointed out that some teachers have applied for TSC employment for more than 10 years, with others now above 45 years old but still unable to secure permanent positions.
Many, he said, continue working under Boards of Management in public schools or in private institutions despite having the required professional qualifications.
“These teachers attend interviews, travel long distances, spend their limited savings on transport and accommodation, and continue waiting year after year for an opportunity,” he said.
Mambo questioned why a qualified teacher should need political connections to secure a public job.
“An MP should not become the gatekeeper between a qualified Kenyan and a public job. A TSC appointment letter is not a political gift, a campaign token or an MP’s personal property,” said Mambo, who is also a Kiswahili and Geography teacher.
Call to protect TSC independence
He called on TSC and relevant accountability institutions to establish the truth behind the allegations and protect the constitutional independence of the Commission.
Mambo said if the Speaker’s remarks were intended to expose malpractice, they should be followed by evidence, investigation and accountability.
He maintained that teacher recruitment must be based on merit, equity, transparency and objective staffing needs rather than political connections.
“We cannot accept a situation where a qualified teacher can remain unemployed for a decade while public employment opportunities are allegedly turned into political currency,” he said.
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He added: “Merit must speak. Equity must prevail. TSC must remain independent. Public jobs must remain public.”
By Our Reporter
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