President Kenyatta names team to pick TSC bosses

What you need to know:

  • Last week, Knut issued a seven-day strike notice to the Education Cabinet Secretary demanding the recruitment of the Teachers Service Commission’s (TSC) top brass.
  • On Monday, Knut Secretary-General Wilson Sossion said the nationwide strike slated for this week had been called off to pave the way for the selection.

A teachers’ union has shelved its call for a nationwide strike after President Kenyatta appointed a six-member panel to spearhead the appointment of new commissioners to the teachers’ employer.

The panel started its work last Thursday and is expected to advertise for the positions before short-listing candidates.

Last week, the Kenya National Union of Teachers (Knut) issued a seven-day strike notice to the Education Cabinet Secretary, Prof Jacob Kaimenyi, demanding the recruitment of the Teachers Service Commission’s (TSC) top brass.

In a gazette notice of July 16, President Kenyatta declared the five positions of commissioners vacant and appointed a panel to select suitable candidates.

The panel will be chaired by former Local Government Permanent Secretary Karega Mutahi, who he will be deputised by former Education Permanent Secretary George Godia.

Other members are former Knut chairman Joseph Chirchir, John Kipkorir, Esther Muhanji and Jean Njeri Muhoho.

TSC currently has three commissioners: Prof Salome Gichura, Ms Saadia Kontoma and Mr Cleophas Tirop.

CONDUCT INTERVIEWS

The panel is expected to conduct interviews before forwarding the names of the nominees to the President.

On Monday, Knut Secretary-General Wilson Sossion said the nationwide strike slated for this week had been called off to pave the way for the selection. He said the panel should stick to the provisions of the Constitution.

“Knut will not tolerate any other delay,” Mr Sossion told the Nation.

He said the teachers hope that the new TSC commissioners will be in office in the next one-and-a-half months.

“The clock has begun ticking. We will be closely monitoring the exercise to ensure it follows the laid down procedure,” he said.

Selection is expected to be complete in 28 days before the President forwards the names to the National Assembly for approval.