MP Arama Alleges TSC Employment Letters Are Used for Political Rewards
Nakuru West Member of Parliament Samuel Arama has accused the government of politicising teacher recruitment, alleging that employment letters issued by the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) are being used as political rewards rather than administrative instruments guided by merit and the law.
Speaking during a public forum, Arama claimed that TSC appointment letters are being issued beyond the Commission’s constitutional mandate and allegedly distributed through political channels at State House. He said the practice has disadvantaged qualified teachers associated with leaders perceived to be unsupportive of the government.
“When they want to issue those letters, they leave me out, saying I don’t support them, and so I wonder what kind of support do they want, and I have been supporting the government,” Arama said.
The MP further alleged that some legislators have been favoured with large numbers of appointment letters, which they then distribute within their constituencies, creating inequality and resentment among teachers and communities.
“You find some MPs have 10 to 15 letters and are claiming the government is theirs and so they receive their letters from State House. Why should State House give some members from one community admission letters leaving out the rest?” he posed.
Arama warned that such practices could have political consequences ahead of the 2027 General Election, arguing that voters would remember leaders who were sidelined and communities that were excluded from employment opportunities.
“So we are saying when the 2027 elections come, we will also elect our own governments so that we can also get the letters,” he added.
The allegations have once again reignited debate around the independence of the Teachers Service Commission, a constitutional body established under Article 237 of the Constitution. The TSC is mandated to recruit, employ, deploy, promote, transfer, and discipline registered teachers without external interference.
This is not the first time concerns have been raised over political influence in teacher recruitment. In previous years, former Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu faced criticism after distributing TSC employment letters at public rallies and political events, a move that education stakeholders said blurred the line between governance and politics.
During the 2023/2024 recruitment drive for 6,000 teachers, reports emerged alleging that the process had been compromised, with some positions reportedly handed to Members of Parliament for allocation. Critics said this bypassed the standard procedure of public advertisement, competitive interviews, and merit-based selection.
In a separate scandal, authorities uncovered a cartel operating in Bomet, Kericho, and Kisii counties, where forged appointment letters were allegedly sold for up to Ksh400,000 each. Investigations linked the scheme to politicians’ aides and a TSC sub-county director. In one case, a personal assistant to a Marakwet West MP reportedly fled after allegedly collecting Ksh6 million from unsuspecting applicants.
Political interference has also been reported in teacher promotions. Lawmakers previously rejected a list of 25,252 promoted teachers, terming it “scandalous,” and demanded an audit of the criteria used by TSC. In some regions, local TSC officers were allegedly threatened with transfers to hardship or high-risk areas if they failed to recruit or promote individuals favoured by politicians.
Education analysts warn that continued interference could erode public confidence in the TSC and undermine professionalism in the teaching service. Teacher unions have also repeatedly called for strict adherence to constitutional provisions to protect educators from exploitation and political manipulation.
As pressure mounts, calls are growing for independent audits and stronger safeguards to ensure transparency in teacher recruitment and promotions, amid fears that unchecked political influence could compromise the future of Kenya’s education system.
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MP Arama Alleges TSC Employment Letters Are Used for Political Rewards
