A brewing storm is gaining momentum in Taita Taveta after Members of Parliament (MPs) accused the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) of sidelining local principals in national school appointments, even as the Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) defended the independence of the Commission and warned against political interference.
The controversy erupted following the Teachers Service Commission’s handling of the principal vacancy at Kenyatta High School, Mwatate, with three MPs formally petitioning the TSC Chief Executive Officer on August 12, 2025, demanding immediate corrective action.
MP Danson Mwashako Mwakuwona of Wundanyi Constituency, MP Peter Shake of Mwatate Constituency and MP Khamis Chome of Voi Constituency have expressed their frustration that none of the three national schools in Taita Taveta County currently has a principal who is a local resident.
“We are aware that a vacancy has arisen for the position of Principal at Kenyatta High School, Mwatate. It has, however, come to public attention that recent transfers and appointments have largely excluded principals from Taita Taveta County. Notably, none of the three national schools in the county currently has a principle who is a local. This anomaly extends to top extra-county schools,” reads their joint letter to the TSC.
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The parliamentarians revealed they had previously raised these concerns with the County Director and Regional Director of Education, who had assured them the imbalance would be addressed.
However, they now express disappointment that these assurances appear to have been disregarded.
“It is therefore disheartening that the first vacancy to arise since those discussions now appears set to be filled by a principal from outside the County, despite the fact that there are qualified, competent, and experienced principals within Taita Taveta who are capable of discharging administrative and management responsibilities effectively,” the MPs stated.
The legislators have specifically recommended Severin Tole, Jumanne Kitheka, and Griffin Mwaghesha as capable candidates for the Kenyatta High School position, arguing that local principals should be given priority consideration.
In a separate letter dated August 27, 2025, KUPPET addressed the same three MPs, expressing gratitude for their efforts in improving school infrastructure and supporting educational programmes, however, the letter signed by KUPPET Executive Secretary Ismael O. Kongo raised deeper constitutional concerns about TSC’s independence, stating that teacher transfers often become sources of concern for local communities and are sometimes used as tools for political interference.
“As a union, we hold the principle that a teacher is a public servant with a national identity, not a local one. Our role is to nurture and to mentor learners without being confined by geographical or political borders,” Kongo wrote.
He further stated that, “Interfering with these processes not only undermines the professional integrity of the TSC but also sets a dangerous precedent that could destabilize the entire education sector.”
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The union has called for a clear separation of roles between political leaders and the TSC, urging MPs to engage with educational stakeholders through established formal protocols while avoiding taking sides or showing preferences for particular teachers or schools.
KUPPET emphasized that the TSC, established under Article 237 of the Constitution, has exclusive mandate over employment, recruitment, termination, disciplinary control, promotion, and transfer of teachers.
KUPPET, showing their spirit of cooperation, warmly welcomed the newly appointed principals of Moi Kasighau and Kenyatta schools to the county stating, “We extend our best wishes to all other newly appointed principals and embrace the collective spirit that the success of our students must always be our highest priority.”
The controversy highlights growing tensions between local political expectations and national education policies, with both sides calling for urgent dialogue to resolve the impasse while maintaining the integrity of Kenya’s education system.
By Michael Oduor
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