MP Peter Kaluma endorses the distribution of TSC employment letters by Politicians

MP Peter Kaluma endorses the distribution of TSC employment letters by Politicians

Homa Bay Town MP Peter Kaluma has asserted that the manner of teacher employment is of little consequence as long as all qualified tutors are provided with job opportunities.

In response to President William Ruto’s Senior Economic Advisor, Moses Kuria, on X (formerly Twitter), Kaluma contended that certain regions have faced marginalisation in teacher recruitment practices for decades.

“We demand that all qualified teachers be employed — I don’t care how,” Kaluma wrote.

Kuria had previously criticised politicians for the public distribution of teacher employment forms at rallies and funerals, describing the practice as a perilous trend.

“There are several great ideas on how to destroy a nation. But the most glaring of recent times is politicians parading teachers’ employment forms at public rallies and funerals,” Kuria stated in a press release on Tuesday.

“It’s so sad, especially for us — the products of great teachers. We have sunk this low, sadly. ”

In reply, Kaluma accused some politicians of previously fostering tribalism in public service.

“You cannot demand professionalism from TSC after employing all teachers from your region while ensuring teachers from other regions retire without ever being hired,” he remarked.

Concerns have recently arisen regarding the manner in which TSC recruitment letters are distributed, with allegations that certain politicians have assumed the role of the Teachers Service Commission.

On April 20, the Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) condemned the purported involvement of politicians in the recruitment process.

KNUT Secretary-General Collins Oyuu claimed that long-serving and deserving teachers have been unjustly excluded from opportunities due to political interference.

Speaking during a press conference, Oyuu denounced the TSC for what he termed as neglecting its mandate and sidelining qualified candidates.

“Never in the history of the Teachers Service Commission have we witnessed what is happening now. The TSC should operate strictly within its mandate. The manner in which employment forms are being disseminated by certain politicians leaves much to be desired,” he said.

Oyuu further stated that numerous teachers who completed their training years ago remain unemployed due to discriminatory practices.

Earlier this month, TSC Chief Executive Officer Nancy Macharia dismissed claims that employment letters were being provided to politicians, characterising them as media speculation.

She asserted that the TSC has consistently adhered to proper recruitment procedures.

“I read this in the newspapers. It is giving TSC a bad name, yet we are the ones mandated to recruit teachers,” Macharia stated while appearing before the Parliamentary Committee on Constitutional Implementation, chaired by Runyenjes MP Eric Muchangi (also known as Karemba).

“You must be fair and humane. The idea of selecting a teacher who completed college in 2023 while disregarding one who finished training in 2010 raises more questions than it answers,” Muchangi added.