Senior Counsel Nelson Havi has condemned allegations that Teachers Service Commission (TSC) appointment letters are being distributed to Members of Parliament for sale in exchange for money, political support and votes.
Havi described the alleged practice as a new low in Kenya’s management of the education sector, arguing that political interference in the recruitment of teachers could have far-reaching consequences for the country’s education system.
His remarks followed claims by National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula that some MPs receive TSC appointment letters for distribution in their constituencies.
Wetang’ula alleged that while some legislators use the letters to assist jobless teachers, others have allegedly sold the opportunities to applicants for as much as KSh400,000.
Havi said the reported distribution of appointment letters by the President to MPs for political purposes was particularly troubling because teacher recruitment is expected to be handled through an independent constitutional commission.
“The distribution of TSC appointment letters for teachers by the President to Members of National Assembly for sale in exchange for support and votes is an all time low,” Havi said.
He linked the alleged practice to what he described as the deterioration of basic education in Kenya, arguing that the quality of leadership and the education system are closely connected.
“It explains the continued collapse of basic education in Kenya, and a surge of illiterate elected leaders who do not value education,” he added.
The allegations have renewed scrutiny of the role played by political leaders in the recruitment and appointment of teachers.
Article 237 of the Constitution establishes the TSC as an independent commission and gives it responsibility for registering, recruiting and employing registered teachers.
The controversy has consequently raised questions over whether political allocation of teaching positions could undermine the commission’s constitutional mandate and disadvantage qualified applicants who rely on the formal recruitment process.
Neither Wetang’ula’s allegations nor Havi’s criticism, however, establish that specific MPs sold appointment letters. The claims would require independent investigation and evidence before individual legislators could be held responsible.
The debate comes at a time when employment opportunities for teachers remain highly sought after, with thousands of qualified graduates competing for limited vacancies announced by the TSC.
Havi’s intervention is therefore likely to intensify calls for greater transparency in teacher recruitment and clarification of the circumstances under which TSC appointment letters are issued and distributed.