When Evaleen Mitei assumed the role of Acting Chief Executive Officer of the Teachers Service Commission on June 1, 2025, she stepped into a position that carries enormous responsibility. Charged with safeguarding the welfare of Kenya’s educators and transforming the nation’s education system, she took the helm at a moment when the commission faced decades-long challenges: staffing shortages, delayed promotions, bureaucratic inefficiencies, and rising expectations from teachers, parents, and policymakers. The task ahead required more than administrative skill; it demanded vision, empathy, and the courage to restore hope to a workforce that had often felt overlooked and undervalued.
Mitei arrived with decades of experience and a deep understanding of both classroom realities and institutional management. Her journey began in 1994 as a classroom teacher, where she learned firsthand the daily struggles and triumphs of educators in Kenya. She rose through key administrative positions within the TSC Secretariat, including Human Resource Management Officer and Director of Teacher Discipline Management, gaining invaluable insight into the inner workings of the commission. Her academic credentials—a Master of Science in Human Resource Management from the University of Manchester and a Bachelor of Education from Moi University—provided her with the knowledge and tools to combine strategic leadership with a deeply empathetic understanding of teachers’ experiences.
From the outset, Mitei demonstrated that empathy is the foundation of effective leadership. She recognized that teachers, who are naturally observant of how they are treated and rewarded, needed more than policies—they needed to feel heard, valued, and respected. Through nationwide consultations, forums, and surveys, she engaged teachers directly, asking not only about administrative frustrations but also about their professional growth, welfare, and the challenges they face in classrooms. This approach allowed her to identify persistent issues, from promotion delays and staffing shortages to gaps in professional development and welfare support. By listening attentively and responding with genuine understanding, Mitei fostered trust and built a connection with teachers that went beyond procedural reforms.
Her leadership is grounded in the belief that recognition and appreciation are powerful motivators. Teachers who had long felt overlooked began to see tangible changes: delays in promotions were addressed, staffing gaps in schools were filled, and professional development opportunities were expanded. Teachers who are normally keen to assess how they are treated and rewarded began to feel genuinely seen, valued, and supported. This empathetic, teacher-centered approach has not only boosted morale but has ignited hope across the education sector, reminding educators that their dedication matters and that they are integral to the success of the nation.
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Mitei also tackled systemic human resource challenges with bold and decisive action. She oversaw the promotion of teachers who had been stagnant for years, demonstrating that merit and dedication would be recognized. Simultaneously, she spearheaded a nationwide recruitment drive that placed over twenty thousand teachers in Junior Secondary Schools and more than twenty-five thousand interns across the country. These initiatives addressed critical staffing shortages, improved student-teacher ratios, and created a more balanced, functional learning environment. More importantly, they signaled to teachers that their contributions are valued and their professional journeys matter.
Teacher welfare has been central to Mitei’s vision. She announced the transition of all teachers to the Public Officers’ Medical Scheme Fund, under the management of the Social Health Authority, effective December 1, 2025. This initiative provides comprehensive medical coverage for educators and their families, resolving long-standing concerns about insufficient insurance provisions. She also launched senior school retooling programs to ensure teachers are fully equipped to implement the Competency-Based Curriculum effectively. By addressing both professional and personal needs, Mitei demonstrate that the TSC not only manages teachers but also cares for them deeply, creating an environment where they can thrive.
Her ability to collaborate with the Ministry of Education and other stakeholders has been equally transformative. Mitei strengthened partnerships with county education offices, teacher unions, parents’ associations, and curriculum bodies to ensure coordinated policy implementation. The smooth rollout of the new medical scheme, for example, reflected her capacity to harmonize complex systems while keeping teachers’ welfare at the center. By fostering a culture of collaboration, she has created trust, reliability, and a sense that teachers’ voices genuinely influence decision-making.
Timely processing of salaries, retirees’ dues, and other benefits has been another area where Mitei’s leadership has inspired confidence. For many years, delays in payments caused anxiety and frustration among educators, undermining morale. Her focus on prompt and efficient financial processes has not only alleviated these concerns but also reinforced the principle that teachers’ contributions are recognized, appreciated, and rewarded.
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Despite facing legal disputes surrounding the recruitment process for the next TSC CEO, Mitei has remained steadfast in her mission, demonstrating resilience, integrity, and a people-centered approach. Her reforms have already earned recognition from educators and stakeholders, many of whom now view her leadership as a beacon of hope in a system that had long seemed unresponsive. Teachers across the nation are inspired by her empathetic leadership, which prioritizes their welfare, career growth, and professional recognition.
Looking ahead, there are opportunities for Mitei to consolidate her gains. Expanding mentorship programs, structured career progression pathways, professional development grants, and mental health support will strengthen teachers’ sense of belonging, recognition, and hope. Utilizing data analytics to track staffing patterns, student outcomes, and teacher performance will ensure that reforms are informed, responsive, and impactful. By combining empathy with innovation, Mitei has the potential to transform the TSC into a model institution where teachers feel genuinely valued and empowered.
In her first months as Acting CEO, Mitei has demonstrated that leadership rooted in empathy, recognition, and hope can transform even the most complex institutions. By listening attentively to teachers, addressing their concerns, and rewarding dedication, she has built trust and restored confidence in the TSC. All teachers and stakeholders now look to her with renewed hope, believing she can demystify challenges that have persisted for decades—from delayed promotions and staffing shortages to welfare and administrative inefficiencies. Her leadership is laying the foundation for a stronger, fairer, and more effective education system that benefits both teachers and learners.
Given her empathetic leadership, visionary reforms, and tangible impact on teacher welfare and professional recognition, Eveleen Mitei should be encouraged and formally confirmed as the Chief Executive Officer of the Teachers Service Commission. Confirmation would not only reward effective, compassionate leadership but also provide the continuity necessary to implement long-term reforms capable of transforming Kenya’s education sector for generations to come.
By Hillary Muhalya
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