Lengoiboni set to pack his bags after 10 years at the helm of TSC

The teaching fraternity is headed for new leadership as the Teachers Service Commission chief executive Gabriel Lengoiboni’s decade-long tenure ends in June 2015.

The commission has advertised for the position as Mr Lengoiboni is due to retire after serving the commission for 10 years.

The Commission is among the institutions that receives huge budgets and according to the summary for the fiscal year 2015/16, it has been allocated Sh181 billion.

On Friday, TSC chairperson Lydia Nzoia advertised for the replacement of Mr Lengoiboni.

Candidates have until May 24 to send in their applications.

Mr Lengoiboni was appointed secretary on July 22, 2004 replacing James Ongwae who had served the commission for a year.

During his career, Mr Lengoiboni has had to endure several teachers’ strikes as well as litigations by retired teachers.

Mr Lengoiboni had also served in various capacities in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Education since 1978.

Mr Lengoiboni holds a Master of Science (Statistics) degree from the University of London and Bachelor of Education (Science) from the University of Nairobi.

In April, the outgoing chief executive locked horns with the Education Cabinet Secretary Prof Jacob Kaimenyi after the CS gazetted regulations which place headteachers under the ministry.

Mr Lengoiboni termed the regulations unconstitutional.

PROUD OF HIS ACHIEVEMENTS

Despite the setbacks during his tenure, Mr Lengoiboni told the Nation that he is proud of his achievements.

“I am proud that during my reign we got a new constitution; we also managed to have our own headquarters in Upper Hill and we came up with policies that have moved the commission forward,” he said adding that the code of regulation for teachers is almost ready.

He said under his watch, the TSC has set up county offices and decentralised some services such as teacher recruitment.

He is also spearheading the Sh6 billion comprehensive medical scheme for teachers.

Kenya National Union of Teachers Secretary-General Wilson Sossion, who has on many occasions been at loggerheads with the commission, says Mr Lengoiboni served with a lot of dedication and has enforced the spirit of merit.

Mr Sossion said the new chief executive must be ready to listen to teachers, since they are the ones who fought for the formation of the commission in the 60’s.

He said that Mr Lengoiboni understands the needs of teachers and that is why he has been at the helm for 10 years.

However, Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers chairman Omboko Milemba accused Mr Lengoiboni of failing to avert numerous strikes by teachers.