Why TSC hiring policy is unfair to married women

Mercy Muthoni, language teacher at Indupa Comprehensive School reading the newspaper with students during the NIE launch. (Collins Oduor, Standard)

The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) proclaims itself an equal opportunity employer, yet its 2024/2025 post-primary recruitment guidelines tell a different story. Clause 18 on page 3 explicitly declares that preference will be given to applicants from their respective sub-counties or counties.

At first glance, favouring local candidates appears logical, as schools want teachers who know the community. But this seemingly neutral rule clashes with a deeply rooted social reality. It is well known that many Kenyan women relocate after marriage.