- Julius Melly has challenged Kenyans to submit documented evidence backing claims that politicians are selling or distributing TSC appointment letters.
- The allegations have followed remarks by Speaker Moses Wetang’ula, who claimed some MPs receive letters for distribution and cited a case involving an alleged Sh400,000 payment for a teaching post.
- Melly has said the Education Committee will investigate specific written complaints while defending the government’s recruitment priority for shortage subjects like mathematics and physics.
National Assembly Education Committee Chairperson Julius Melly has challenged Kenyans to provide documented evidence to support allegations that politicians are selling or distributing Teachers Service Commission (TSC) employment letters to jobseekers.
Speaking on Tuesday, the Tinderet MP said Parliament is ready to investigate any credible complaints implicating politicians or other individuals in the alleged irregular allocation or sale of teaching jobs, but said the Education Committee could not act effectively on accusations that were not backed by evidence.
He urged teachers, unemployed graduates and members of the public who may have witnessed or experienced such practices to submit written complaints to the committee. “We cannot, and my committee cannot condone the sale or distribution of letters by anyone, be it a member of Parliament, be it a senior citizen,” Melly said.
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His remarks came after National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula claimed that some MPs receive TSC appointment letters for distribution to constituents. Wetang’ula further alleged that some politicians sell the opportunities to desperate jobseekers, citing a case in which a parent was allegedly asked to pay Sh400,000 to secure a teaching position for her child.
The allegations have sparked renewed debate over the transparency and independence of teacher recruitment, with education stakeholders questioning whether political figures are interfering with a process constitutionally mandated to the TSC.
Melly said his committee would establish the facts if specific complaints are presented, rather than relying on unsubstantiated claims. “As a committee of education, I’m calling on Kenyans to give us the write-ups on questions as to what has really happened, and I’ll take it up,” he said, cautioning that failure by those making the allegations to formally present evidence would make it difficult for Parliament to take action. “If they don’t raise the issues, it is now going to be a difficult thing to take it up,” he said.
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The controversy comes at a time when thousands of trained teachers are competing for limited employment opportunities, with the TSC having advertised 20,000 permanent and pensionable positions for junior school teachers, further intensifying scrutiny of the recruitment process. Melly also defended the government’s recruitment strategy, saying priority has been given to subjects facing significant teacher shortages, particularly science subjects such as mathematics and physics.
The Education Committee is now expected to rely on documented complaints to determine whether the allegations of selling or distributing TSC employment letters have any basis and whether further parliamentary action is necessary.
By Our Reporter
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