Arama Claims State House Is Using TSC Appointment Letters as Political Rewards
Nakuru West MP Samuel Arama has accused the government of turning teacher employment into a political tool, claiming that Teachers Service Commission (TSC) appointment letters are being distributed based on loyalty to State House rather than merit.
The MP says appointment letters—meant to be issued independently by the TSC—are now being handed out through politicians aligned with the government, locking out MPs and communities perceived as unsupportive. He warned that voters will remember the alleged manipulation in the 2027 general election.
“State House Decides Who Gets the Letters”
Arama alleges that the process has shifted from an administrative function to a political reward system.
“When they want to issue those letters, they leave me out, saying I don’t support them,” Arama said. “I have been supporting the government, so I wonder what kind of support they want.”
He criticised MPs who allegedly monopolise appointment letters.
“You find some MPs have 10 to 15 letters and are claiming the government is theirs. Why should State House give some members from one community appointment letters while leaving out the rest?”
According to the MP, this approach has created sharp inequalities, with some constituencies flooded with teacher appointments while others are left out entirely.
Past Recruitment Irregularities Resurface
Arama’s claims revive long-standing concerns over the TSC’s independence. During the 2023/2024 recruitment of 6,000 teachers, reports emerged that positions were allegedly handed to MPs for distribution, bypassing public advertisement and competitive hiring.
In Bomet, Kericho, and Kisii counties, investigators uncovered a cartel involving politicians’ aides and a TSC sub-county director who allegedly sold forged appointment letters for KSh 400,000 each. In one case, a personal assistant to a Marakwet West MP reportedly disappeared with KSh 6 million collected from desperate applicants.
Former Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu also drew criticism after distributing TSC appointment letters at public rallies and political events—actions many said blurred the line between politics and public service.
Political Interference Extends to Promotions
The alleged interference is not limited to hiring. MPs previously rejected a list of 25,252 promoted teachers, calling the process scandalous and demanding audits of the criteria used.
There have also been claims that local TSC officers were threatened with transfers to hardship or insecurity-prone regions if they failed to recruit or promote teachers favoured by politicians.
Under Article 237 of the Constitution, the TSC has the sole mandate to recruit, employ, promote, and discipline teachers. Arama’s accusations suggest those powers are being undermined for political gain.
Warning Ahead of 2027 Elections
The Nakuru West MP warned that the politicisation of teacher employment could backfire at the ballot.
“When the 2027 elections come, we will also elect our own governments so that we can also get the letters,” he said, reflecting growing frustration among MPs and communities excluded from the alleged State House-controlled system.
Education experts caution that politicising recruitment threatens the quality of learning, as merit gives way to connections. Teachers hired through political channels may lack the qualifications or motivation needed in classrooms already under strain.
As the next election cycle approaches, the issue of TSC appointment letters is shaping up to be a major political flashpoint. For MPs like Arama, the demand is clear: restore the independence of the Teachers Service Commission and keep teacher recruitment free from political interference.
