- Residents in Nandi are demanding clarity over allegations that MPs receive TSC employment letters for distribution to constituents.
- The concerns follow remarks by National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula that some MPs receive teacher employment letters and allegedly sell them.
- TSC has since rejected claims that employment letters are issued through political leaders, insisting recruitment remains its constitutional mandate.
Questions over the alleged involvement of MPs in the distribution of TSC appointment letters have sparked concern among residents in Nandi.
Calls are now growing for authorities to explain how teacher recruitment is conducted given the mandate belongs to TSC.
The concerns follow remarks by National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula suggesting that legislators are given TSC appointment letters to distribute or sell to people of their choice.
Residents said the remarks could undermine confidence in a recruitment system that is expected to operate independently and on merit.
Teacher Caleb Namaswa said trained teachers should not have to rely on political connections to secure employment.
“Many teachers apply through the official channels and wait for years hoping that their qualifications and experience will eventually earn them a job,” he said.
Namaswa said any system allowing MPs to determine beneficiaries would cast doubt on the credibility of the recruitment process.
He urged authorities to establish whether appointment letters are issued to legislators and, if so, why.
Jacob Kinyua, a democratic governance advocate, said the matter should be viewed as a constitutional issue rather than simply a dispute over employment.
“The Constitution established independent commissions so that certain public functions could be performed without political interference. Parliament should be protecting the independence of these institutions instead of appearing to take over their functions,” he said.
Kinyua called for the National Assembly to summon relevant officials and demand a clear account of how appointment letters are allegedly channelled through MPs.
He said political discretion in recruitment could create room for favouritism, discrimination and patronage, while weakening public confidence in constitutional institutions.
Jane Chumo said the reported practice would disadvantage families that had invested heavily in educating their children.
“Parents spend many years paying school and university fees because they believe education will give their children an opportunity to compete for employment,” she said.
Chumo urged TSC to publish clear recruitment criteria and provide applicants with information on vacancies and the selection process.
She said political leaders should represent citizens and exercise oversight rather than determine who receives public employment.
Youth demand independent investigation
Moses Kirwa, a youth leader, said the issue was particularly worrying for unemployed graduates who have spent years searching for work.
“Young people want a system where they can compete fairly. Nobody should be required to know an MP or another political leader before securing a government job,” Kirwa said.
He called for an independent investigation to determine whether politicians have been involved in the issuance or distribution of TSC appointment letters.
Nandi residents said the county’s large population of trained teachers made the controversy especially sensitive. They noted that limited vacancies attract thousands of applicants whenever TSC conducts recruitment exercises.
They urged the commission to publicly reaffirm its recruitment procedures and clarify whether appointment letters are ever issued through politicians.
Residents call for transparency
The residents said a transparent recruitment system would protect qualified applicants from discrimination while ensuring that schools receive teachers according to genuine staffing requirements.
They further called for TSC to publish vacancies, selection criteria and successful candidates whenever recruitment is undertaken.
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They maintained that safeguarding the commission’s independence was essential to protecting merit, fairness and professionalism in Kenya’s education sector.
By Kimutai Langat
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