MPs want to direct recruitment of tutors, tell TSC to consider locals

Members of Parliament are angling for the Teachers Service Commission employment vacancies for their cronies, it has emerged.

MPs have called for meetings in their constituencies with all unemployed teachers, days after the TSC announced the recruitment exercise.

The legislators have urged the unemployed teachers to carry their academic papers saying the meetings will be attended by TSC officials and political leaders.

Kabete MP James Githua Kamau invited teachers in his constituency for a meeting on Tuesday, December 13, two days after the TSC announcement.

"Hon Githua Wamacukuru MP Kabete Constituency in conjunction with Kabete Sub-County Teachers Service Commission office invites all unemployed teachers from Kabete for both primary and secondary schools for a meeting," Githua said. "Kindly come with your P1 and TSC Certificates as evidence plus a copy of your identity card. The Kabete sub-County TSC Director and area Member of Parliament will attend."

Baringo Central MP Joshua Kandie disclosed that the recruitment of teachers this time will be done in a unique manner since TSC will partner with MPs, a move intended to do away with middlemen and corrupt officials who sell slots.

"The MP has and will have more names of the possible candidates through his office which will be presented to the TSC,'' he said.

Kandie said the exercise will be based on merit where those who finished university and colleges early will be given priority.

Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro, who is also the chair of Budget and Appropriation Committee, in a letter dated December 9, 2022, urged unemployed teachers in his constituency to turn up for a meeting on December 9, 2022.

''Over our journey in serving the people of Kiharu, we strive to consult and listen. Today we met education sector stakeholders majority of whom were TSC registered teachers,'' Nyoro said. ''We therefore must prepare to supplement the efforts by TSC and GoK by assisting our Schools get additional teachers in January through Kiharu NG - CDF Bursary kitty recruited through BoMs.''

Murang'a has 788 slots while Kiambu was allocated 846.

The Department Committee on Education chaired by Tinderet MP Julius Melly, this week held consultative talks with the TSC CEO, Nancy Macharia.

During the meeting, Melly said MPs have no role in recruitment. ''You should clarify to Kenyans that lawmakers have absolutely no role in the planned hiring and recruitment of the 35,000 teachers in January,'' Melly asked.

Sabatia MP Clement Sloya said he will not be part of the scheme to influence the process. ''I want to be categorical that I will not be part of leaders who are taking advantage of this teachers' situation to do political PR for political expediency,'' Sloya said.

The first-time legislator noted that the only thing he can do is to ensure all vacant positions in the constituency are dully filled.

Dr Macharia said the exercise will be above board. ''When it comes to the recruitment of teachers, let me clarify that MPs have no role whatsoever. The exercise will be done by TSC. From the sub-county level upwards. And we want to assure Kenyans that the process will be free, fair and credible,'' Macharia said.

Some MPs have also said they will allow foreigners to be employed in sub-counties under their constituencies. Voi MP Khamis Chome called on TSC to employ local techers before extending to others.

''I urge Taita Taveta youths to apply for the job. For those doing the selection, please do not import teachers before filling the 274 slots with Taita Taveta teachers,'' Chome said. ''We have enough tachers who are registered by TSC. They are working under BOM it is their time to be employed.''