TSC Chairperson nominee Lydia Nzomo pledges to fight graft, boost transparency at TSC

The nominee for the position of Teachers Service Commission (TSC) chairperson yesterday appeared before a parliamentary committee for the final vetting ahead of her approval by the House.

Lydia Nzomo, the 62-year-old former head of the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD) met MPs who sit on the National Assembly's Education Committee to defend her suitability for the job

She said she would focus on curbing runaway corruption at the TSC, making promotions and deployment of teachers transparent and ensuring that those who flouted rules were punished. And those who abused students should be sacked, she added.

"Pension for retired teachers must be processed on time, and quickly," said Dr Nzomo as she recalled her 20-year-tenure at TSC where she served as a staffing officer and finally as the deputy to the chief executive before she left for KICD.

"I did a lot to curb corruption and introduce transparency. I addressed the secretariat's efficiency and the welfare of teachers," she said.

The chairman of the House committee, Julius Melly (Tinderet), had to make a ruling on whether to proceed with Nzomo's vetting after it emerged that she did not have a clearance certificate from the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC).

"Dr Nzomo applied for the certificate on November 4, 2014. The EACC knew very well she was coming here today. They did not issue her with a certificate and they did not send an objection. So we have to go ahead with the vetting," said Mr Melly.

The nominee had presented a tax compliance certificate from the Kenya Revenue Authority, a certificate of good conduct from the police and a clearance certificate from the Credit Reference Bureau.

Malulu Injendi (Malava), Jared Opiyo (Awendo), Christine Ombaka (Siaya) and Kisoi Munyao (Mbooni) said EACC was duty bound to give its verdict without delay. They said the last time Nzomo was scheduled for vetting, EACC said it had a pending investigation against her.

"If from 2012, the EACC has not submitted its report, we cannot wait. It could be that someone is playing tricks just to deny her the opportunity," said Mr Injendi.

But Muriuki Njagagua (Mbeere North) objected, saying the law was clear on what was required and there ought to be no exceptions.

Melly and the other MPs overruled Njagagua and said it was "a vetting exercise, not an interview process".

The committee will file the report and submit it to the House before the Christmas break for Nzomo's approval.