CS Ruku promises to ensure TSC recruitment is fair and free

CS Ruku promises to ensure TSC recruitment is fair and free

Recruitment of teachers by the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) will be on merit, free and fair, going forward. This assurance has been given by Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku.

Speaking on Friday, May 2, during an interview, CS Ruku said he has been given instructions by President William Ruto to ensure that recruitments across the country are merit merit-based.

The Public Service CS said he cannot confirm that the TSC recruitment letters are issued openly by politicians, adding that while serving as the Mbeere North MP, he was never offered the letters from State House.

“I was a member of parliament; I didn’t have an opportunity to get any letter from State House for teachers, so I can’t confirm whether the allegations are true or false.

“Assuming there are such cases, moving forward, as a CS in charge of Public Service, which is concerned with the recruitments in Kenya, we will be insisting that recruitment must be on a merit basis. These are the instructions that I have from President William Ruto,” said Ruku.

This comes days after President Ruto’s senior economic advisor, Moses Kuria, criticized politicians for issuing TSC recruitment letters at public rallies and funerals.

In a statement on April 22, Kuria warned that if the move continues, it will destroy the country.

“There are several great ideas on how best to destroy a nation. But the most glittering of recent times is politicians parading teachers’ employment forms in public rallies and funerals. It’s so sad, especially for us, the products of great teachers. We have sunk this low, sadly,” said Kuria.

On April 19, Kenya Union of Teachers (KNUT) Secretary General Collins Oyuu protested the involvement of politicians in the recruitment of teachers, saying the move was interfering with the independence of TSC.

“Never, never in the history of TSC have we seen what is happening now. TSC should be ready to work and operate within its mandate. And the mandate in this question is the recruitment of teachers,” Oyuu stated.

The Promotions of over 25,000 teachers by the Commission has also been opposed by various stake holders in the Education Sector.

Members of the National Assembly’s Education Committee have unanimously rejected the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) list of 25,252 teachers promoted earlier this year, accusing the commission of unfair practices and disregarding principles of equity.

The rejection came after the committee held a tense meeting with TSC officials, including Chief Executive Officer Nancy Macharia and Chairperson Jamleck Muturi.

The MPs argued that the promotions, which had been celebrated by some, were skewed and unfair, with certain counties benefiting disproportionately from the advancements.

At the centee of the legislators’ grievances was the perceived imbalance in the number of teachers promoted across counties, with some regions, despite having fewer teachers, receiving higher numbers of promotions. The MPs also blame TSC for irregularly promoting recently employed Teachers.

“Equity is lacking in this entire document, and we can’t proceed like this. You had a duty, we gave you money, and what you have done is a disservice to this country and the teachers,” said Tinderet MP Julius Melly, who chairs the committee.