TSC to kickstart process of replacing exiting Boss Dr. Nancy Macharia

The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) is set to start the process of selecting a new Commission Secretary and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) as the current CEO, Dr. Nancy Macharia, is expected to complete her term in June this year.

According to Section 16 (1) of the TSC Act 2012, the next CEO will be chosen through a competitive selection process.

While the Act does not specify the exact timeline for advertising the vacancy or the detailed steps for appointing the new CEO, it is clear that a permanent appointment must be made by July 1, 2025. After that date, Dr. Macharia will no longer be permitted to conduct any TSC business due to the end of her term.

This means that the Commission needs to initiate the recruitment process for a new CEO before June 30, 2025, to prevent any gaps in leadership.

On another note, legal experts indicate that it is not legally required for Dr. Macharia to take terminal leave, as this is an administrative matter to be determined by the TSC Commissioners. She will continue to serve as the TSC Secretary/CEO until a successor is appointed to ensure a smooth transition.

However, it has been confirmed that Dr. Macharia will begin her terminal leave in April for three months, during which the Commissioners will work to find a suitable replacement.

Former TSC Bosses

Macharia succeeded Gabriel Lengoibon as the Commission’s Secretary/CEO after he retired in June 2015, having been selected as the top candidate. Her appointment came after a competitive recruitment process that began on May 1, 2015, when the position was advertised and attracted 69 applicants, of whom four were shortlisted.

Ms. Macharia is the ninth individual to hold the position of Commission Secretary/CEO, following Mr. Jesse Muhoro (1967-1974), Mr. James Kamunge (1974-1977), Mr. Duncan Mwangi (1978-1980), Mr. Joseph Lijembe (1980-1982), Mr. Jackson Kang’ali (1982-1998), Mr. Benjamin Sogomo (1998-2003), Mr. James Ongwae (2003-2004), and her predecessor, Mr. Gabriel K. Lengoiboni.

Biography of Dr Nancy Njeri Macharia

Born in Murang’a in 1963, Ms. Macharia became the first female CEO of the Commission since its establishment. She holds a Master of Education degree in Policy and Management from the University of Bristol in the UK, as well as a Bachelor of Education degree in English/Literature from Kenyatta University.

After earning her Bachelor’s degree in English/Literature from Kenyatta University in 1987, she began her career at Kahuhia Girls’ Secondary School in Murang’a, where she worked for five years before being promoted to deputy head teacher at Kianderi Girls’ Secondary School in the same county.

Mrs. Macharia is recognized for her efforts in automating teacher services, which have simplified processes for educators. The automated services include Tpay (Payroll), Leave, Casualty (Entry/Exit), TPAD, EDMS, Wealth Declaration, and now Pension.

In 2014, she received the Order of Grand Warrior from former President Uhuru Kenyatta in recognition of her contributions to development both within and outside her workplace. She was part of the team that developed the national integrated data system for the Teachers Service Commission (TSC), which involved negotiating and securing funding from the World Bank.

In her CV, Ms. Macharia lists traveling, going to the gym, listening to music, farming, and helping the less fortunate as some of her hobbies.