Teachers have expressed concern over the move to allow MPs to distribute employment letters to teachers, a responsibility that traditionally falls under the purview of the Teachers Service Commission (TSC).

There is a potential threat to the integrity of the hiring process, raising fears of nepotism and favouritism.

At a press conference held at the Kisumu branch of the Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT), teachers rallied behind their leaders, including those who emphasised that employment decisions should be solely managed by educational authorities.

This, they argued, is essential to maintain transparency and fairness in hiring practices. “We respect our MPs but let them play their role,” said Kisumu Knut branch secretary David Obuon.

The teachers were particularly alarmed by reports indicating that government-aligned MPs had recently received TSC employment letters intended for new recruits in their constituencies.

No merit

This practice, they argue, compromises the chances of deserving teachers, particularly those who may not have political connections.

In a joint statement, last week, acting Secretary-General of the Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (Kuppet), Moses Nthurima, and Deputy Secretary-General of the Knut, Hesbon Otieno, voiced their concerns.

They warned that circumventing legal hiring procedures would have detrimental effects on the education sector.  They also cautioned against politicising education, asserting that the government has no authority to hire teachers directly.

“What happens when MPs select their cronies and relatives for employment while qualified candidates who graduated years ago remain jobless?” Nthurima posed.