In Kenya’s public service, few careers carry the weight of stability and prestige like a permanent job under the Teachers Service Commission (TSC).
For years, thousands of graduates have competed for limited teaching slots, viewing the profession as a secure path in an uncertain job market.
But for one teacher stationed in Elgeyo-Marakwet County, that sense of security was not enough.
Haroun James Mukalasinga, a former teacher at St. Patrick’s High School in Iten, has stirred debate online after revisiting the day he made a dramatic exit from the classroom—walking away from his TSC job and later relocating abroad to join the United States military.
In a social media post marking eight years since the decision, Mukalasinga shared a photo of the handwritten resignation letter he submitted on July 20, 2018.
“Today, 8 years ago, I took this photo just after handing in my hand-written resignation letter,” he wrote. “I wanted it to be a reminder of the day I took a bold and well-calculated step to quit my TSC job, which was coveted by thousands back then.”
The letter, formally addressed through the school’s administration to the TSC, cited “compelling circumstances beyond my control” and indicated his intention to leave effective September 1, 2018, in accordance with the Code of Regulations for Teachers.
However, it is the manner of his departure that has captured public attention.
According to his account, the resignation marked the beginning of a highly charged exit from the institution.
“Later that evening I walked in all the over 20 classes to bid my then students goodbye,” he recalled, describing a personal farewell that stretched across the entire school.
He went further, detailing a controversial message he shared with colleagues.
“Then drafted and sent a very detailed farewell message in the Staffroom WhatsApp group, courageously calling out everyone, including the then Deputy Principal, who had relentlessly tried to frustrate me during my tenure as teacher,” he wrote.
“I didn’t leave any stone unturned and I didn’t mince my words. How I wish to bump into that farewell note some day. It was scandalous,” he added.
By the following day, Mukalasinga says he had made up his mind completely.
“The following day, I packed everything and left that school, never to be seen again,” he stated.
His decision to abandon a coveted government teaching position underscores a broader trend of professionals seeking opportunities abroad, often driven by workplace challenges and the pursuit of alternative career paths.
“The rest, as they say, is history,” he concluded, hinting at his eventual transition into the U.S. military.