As we have argued here before, something stinks at the Teachers Service Commission. We get the impression that the institution has either abdicated its mandate or simply gone rogue. Its leadership seems impervious to good manners.

Efforts to bring the commission to account are often met with contempt and aided impunity. It is unthinkable that a functioning organisation that is supposed to hire educated people to teach our children has rendered itself illiterate.

Concerns have been raised about nepotism, favourism and ethnically motivated hiring and promotion of teachers.

It is clear that the allocation of teaching slots is being skewed in favour of certain regions at the whim of politicians. The commission has outsourced its services to politicians. Its activities border on insanity. Isn’t the commission bound by the dictates of the Constitution, which expressly states that public institutions should reflect national diversity and promote equity.

MPs yesterday accused TSC commissioners of awarding more teaching jobs to their home counties and questioned their decision to promote about 5,291 tutors who had only served for six months.

MPs on the Education Committee said documents tabled before them showing the distribution of 25,252 teaching positions in sub-counties revealed that certain regions where some of the commissioners come from got more slots than others.

For instance, MPs cited Isiolo, which received 190 slots, Samburu Central (185), and Lamu West (202) as among the regions that were most favoured.

Others were Baringo Central (163), Ithanga/Kakuzi (190), Hamisi (148), Keiyo North (169), Keiyo South (149), Kirinyaga East (126), Marakwet West (132), Nyahururu (139), Tana Delta (143) and Turkana Central (125).

The regions that received the lowest slots include Balambala (9), Bothai (5) Fafi (5), Diff (6), and Korondille (9).

It was also revealed that some newly appointed teachers were promoted in a manner that violated established procedures. We are not saying that MPs who are probing the shame have no other motive but the issues raised should be addressed.

The TSC is a public institution and its activities must be seen to be guided by the law.