Nakuru West MP Samuel Arama has accused the government of using Teachers Service Commission appointment letters as political rewards, claiming the process is unfair and excludes communities and MPs not aligned with State House.
He argues that teacher employment should remain independent and based on merit, warning that political interference risks weakening trust in public institutions and education.
According to Arama, politicians linked to State House are deciding who receives appointment letters instead of the Commission following its legal procedures.
He claims some MPs receive many letters while others are ignored, creating inequality in recruitment. He questioned why certain communities appear to benefit more than others and said this approach leaves some regions without enough teachers while others receive more opportunities.
“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 also criticised MPs who he said treat teacher employment as personal property, claiming that some hold many letters and distribute them within their areas while excluding others.
The concerns raised by the MP add to previous debates over the independence of the Teachers Service Commission. In the 2023 and 2024 recruitment drive for 6,000 teachers, reports suggested that positions were shared through political influence instead of open competition.
TSC Acting CEO Everline Mitei. Photo Courtesy/The Standard
Allegations also emerged from Bomet, Kericho, and Kisii where individuals connected to politicians were accused of selling fake appointment letters for large amounts of money, leaving many job seekers at risk of losing their savings.
Political interference has also been reported in teacher promotions. Some lawmakers rejected a list of promoted teachers and demanded an audit, while local TSC officers allegedly faced pressure and threats of transfers if they failed to hire or promote individuals backed by politicians.
Under Article 237 of the Constitution, the TSC has the authority to recruit, promote, and manage teachers independently. Arama argues that these powers are being undermined by outside influence, which he says could damage confidence in the education system and affect the quality of learning.
He warned that voters may respond strongly in the 2027 elections if the claims of political manipulation continue.
Arama said communities that feel excluded will remember the issue and demand change through the ballot.
His statements have renewed calls from education experts and leaders for transparent recruitment, fair promotion processes, and stronger protection of the Commission’s independence to ensure that teacher employment remains professional and accountable.
