Lengoiboni set to exit TSC as panel holds interviews to pick successor

Teachers Service Commission (TSC) secretary Gabriel Lengoiboni adressing the press after meeting Kenya National Union of Teachers at TSC headquarters. [PHOTO/JENIPHER WACHIE/STANDARD]

Interviews to recruit a new Teachers Service Commission (TSC) chief executive officer were done yesterday as Gabriel Lengoiboni (pictured) prepares to exit next week.

Director Teacher Management Nancy Njeri Macharia, Director Administration Services Simon Musyimi Kavisi, and Director Finance Cheptumo Kipkorir Ayebei were among those grilled by TSC commissioners yesterday.

Ewaso Nyiro South Development Authority Managing Director Charles Talengo Sunkulu also faced the panel at the TSC head office yesterday. Out of the 72 candidates who applied for the position, only the four were shortlisted.

Lengoiboni yesterday said he does not intend to stay at TSC even for one more day.

"I have served this Commission for many years and it's my time to leave," said Lengoiboni, who has held the position for 10 years.

He last alluded to his exit during the Kenya Secondary School Heads Association National Conference in Mombasa last.

Quoting former US President Jimmy Carter, Lengoiboni said: "In a few days, I will lay down my official responsibilities in this office to take up once more the only title in our democracy superior to that of president, the title of citizen."

In an emotional speech to over 7,000 secondary school teachers, the soft spoken administrator said he was taking a well-deserved leave.

"Having worked in public service for over 30 years, I will take a break, which I believe is well deserved. It is time for someone else to continue with the reform agenda we have vigorously pursued together for the last decade," he said.

He said he will still be available to serve the Government in other capacities.

"I am still able and still available to serve this great nation in whatever other capacity I am called upon to. I will also be available for advise for you individually or collectively," he said

But he said even as he leaves, the teachers must get back the respect they deserve in the society. He cited completion of the TSC House in 2009 as one of his key achievements, adding that being housed in the premises guaranteed the commission real independence.

TSC ACT

"The TSC occupied its current offices after 42 years of rental accommodation. I can proudly claim that TSC House is now a convenient environment where we transact business with our clients,'' said Lengoiboni.

He said redrafting of the TSC Act to conform to the Constitution, which was promulgated in 2010, was also no mean achievement.

"That was the start of major progress that has seen teachers walk tall. We have also created more units at the sub-county levels," he said.

Lengoiboni said teachers can now access a wide range of services with ease as they have been decentralised.

He said recruitment and promotion of teachers in job group M and N is now being done at the county level. The outgoing TSC boss said under his tenure, the terms and conditions of service for teachers also greatly improved.