- A Nairobi teacher has sued the Teachers Service Commission, seeking KSh50 million over an alleged unlawful transfer.
- The petitioner claims the commission ignored his medical condition and violated his constitutional rights.
- The case also raises questions about workplace privacy, medical confidentiality and whistleblower protection.
The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) is facing a KSh50 million compensation claim after a Nairobi teacher moved to court alleging that he was transferred in a manner that violated his constitutional rights and disregarded his medical condition.
In a petition filed before the Employment and Labour Relations Court, Jeremiah Rianga accuses the commission of unlawfully transferring him from Bidii Primary School in Buruburu to GSU Primary School in Roysambu despite living with epilepsy, hypertension and diabetes.
Rianga argues that his medical condition requires continuous support from caregivers and access to specialised medical care, making the transfer unreasonable and detrimental to his health.
He further claims that the commission failed to consider medical recommendations before effecting the transfer.
The teacher alleges that the transfer was not motivated by administrative needs but was instead intended to punish him following disagreements with the school administration.
According to the court documents, Rianga claims he came under pressure from school management to collect levies from parents, which he declined to do.
He argues that his refusal led to hostility from senior school officials.
At the centre of the dispute is an allegation that the school’s head teacher shared his confidential medical records in a staff WhatsApp group without his consent.
Rianga says the disclosure violated his constitutional right to privacy by exposing sensitive medical information to colleagues.
He also accuses members of the school’s Board of Management of participating in actions that ultimately resulted in his transfer.
According to the petition, the transfer was malicious, discriminatory and intended to intimidate him after he questioned the school’s financial practices.
Seeking compensation
Through the suit, Rianga is seeking KSh50 million in general damages for the alleged violation of his constitutional rights, emotional distress and suffering.
He is also asking the court to direct TSC to investigate the school’s financial collections and determine whether parents were being subjected to unauthorised levies.
The case places renewed focus on TSC’s teacher transfer policy, particularly regarding teachers with documented medical conditions.
It also raises broader questions about workplace privacy, whistleblower protection and the responsibility of public institutions to safeguard employees’ welfare.
READ ALSO: Who is to blame? Coaches, schools or fans after the Nasokol Girls–Annet Girls disqualifications?
The Teachers Service Commission had not publicly responded to the allegations by the time of publication.
By Kithinji Njeru
