KUPPET Raises Alarm Over Alleged Political Interference in TSC Teacher Promotions

KUPPET Raises Alarm Over Alleged Political Interference in TSC Teacher Promotions

The Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) has raised concerns over alleged political interference in the ongoing Teachers Service Commission (TSC) teacher promotion interviews.

The union has called on the TSC to protect the integrity of the recruitment exercise and ensure teachers are promoted through transparent and established procedures.

KUPPET officials in Kisii alleged that some politicians were moving around with recommendation letters and lists of preferred teachers in an attempt to influence promotion decisions.

The union warned that political involvement could undermine confidence in the process and disadvantage qualified teachers who do not have political connections.

“We want TSC to act as an independent commission. We do not want political interference in these promotions or politicians walking around with lists of a few selected teachers which they will forward to TSC to get favours,” KUPPET officials said.

The concerns come as the TSC conducts a major teacher promotion exercise involving 34,016 vacancies across different cadres.

The second phase of the interviews, which ran from September 17 to September 25, covered secondary school teachers, Teacher Training College personnel and Curriculum Support Officers.

KUPPET has urged the Commission to ensure all eligible teachers receive an equal opportunity during the interviews. The union said merit, professional experience, qualifications and years of service should guide the selection process.

The union’s concerns come amid broader disagreements between teachers’ representatives and the government over working conditions and remuneration.

On Thursday, September 24, KUPPET Secretary-General Akello Misori raised concerns over allowances paid to teachers involved in the administration and marking of the 2026 national examinations.

Misori said the payments made to examiners, supervisors, invigilators and centre managers did not adequately reflect the responsibilities involved. He called on the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) to review the allowances.

“We want to remind the SRC to be on the frontline to safeguard the rights of the teachers or workers who undertake such projects. Imagine a centre organiser, who is a professional, is being paid below what a construction worker is being paid,” Misori stated.

The dispute over teacher promotions also comes as KUPPET continues to push for changes in the management of Junior Secondary Schools (JSS).

The union has been advocating for greater autonomy for JSS, including a separate administrative and professional management framework.

KUPPET said it gathered views from thousands of JSS teachers before participating in discussions on proposed amendments to education laws.

“We collected views from more than 40,000 JSS teachers, and they feel it is impractical for someone who is not eligible to teach at the junior secondary level to oversee their professional and administrative affairs,” the union said.

The union’s latest concerns place renewed attention on the transparency of the TSC promotion process, particularly as thousands of teachers compete for the available positions.

The TSC has previously outlined promotion procedures intended to guide the exercise, with applicants required to meet specified qualifications and other requirements.

KUPPET is now calling for strict adherence to those procedures, arguing that the promotion process should remain free from external influence.

The union’s position adds to ongoing discussions about teacher welfare, professional progression and the administration of education in Kenya as the sector prepares for further changes under the Competency-Based Education framework.

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KUPPET Raises Alarm Over Alleged Political Interference in TSC Teacher Promotions