MPs demand proof over claims of TSC jobs handed to legislators

Members of Parliament have challenged National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula to produce evidence for claims that legislators receive Teachers Service Commission (TSC) employment letters to distribute to jobseekers in their constituencies. Ruaraka MP Tom Kajwang’ and Seme MP James Nyikal on Wednesday questioned the claims, saying they were ready to receive the alleged letters if MPs were indeed being allocated teaching jobs for distribution to constituents. Kajwang’ said residents would welcome the opportunity if MPs could help them secure teaching positions, rejecting the suggestion that such assistance would automatically amount to political patronage. “If I could get the letters from wherever quarters and give them to residents of Ruaraka Constituency, they would be happy. They would vote me in,” Hon. Kajwang’ said. His comments came days after Wetang’ula claimed that some MPs receive up to 10 TSC employment letters to help people in their constituencies secure teaching jobs. The Speaker, however, said some politicians were taking advantage of the alleged arrangement for personal benefit by selling the letters to desperate jobseekers. Some of the letters were reportedly being sold for as much as Sh400,000. Kajwang’ called on Wetang’ula to identify the legislators receiving the letters and reveal where the alleged documents were being kept. “I am still looking for those letters. I want to know where they are, and so that I can take them to Ruaraka,” he said. The Ruaraka legislator said MPs would expect the Speaker to explain the claims before the National Assembly. “As to whether Speaker Wetang’ula went out there and said what he said, we will wait for him on the Floor to tell us where those letters are. If he is holding them in his office, we will break that door to get those letters,” Mr Kajwang’ said. Kajwang’ also rejected allegations that MPs could be selling teaching jobs for their own financial benefit. “If we are selling them, you know we are not cheap people, Bwana. Please, we are not cheap people to sell,” he said. Nyikal, who chairs the National Assembly Committee on Health, said Nyanza MPs had not accompanied Wetang’ula to State House to receive TSC employment letters. “I know for myself, I know for these members, we did not accompany Hon Wetang’ula to State House and were given letters for TSC recruitment,” Hon. Nyikal said. “I think that is the basic answer that we can tell you,” he added. The claims have sparked questions about the role, if any, that politicians play in the recruitment of teachers and whether such involvement could affect the independence of the TSC. The National Assembly Departmental Committee on Education, chaired by Tinderet MP Julius Melly, has also warned against the sale or distribution of TSC employment letters by politicians or other individuals. Melly has called for evidence to support the allegations, with the committee expected to examine credible complaints and seek clarification over the claims. The controversy has also brought attention to the constitutional mandate of the TSC. Article 237 of the Constitution establishes the Commission and gives it responsibility for registering trained teachers and recruiting and employing registered teachers. The alleged distribution of appointment letters through politicians has therefore raised concerns about merit, transparency and the independence of the Commission. Former Law Society of Kenya president Faith Odhiambo has called for an investigation, saying claims of political involvement in teacher recruitment raise questions under the Constitution. Teacher unions have also raised concern over the matter. KNUT and KUPPET have warned that political involvement in recruitment could weaken merit-based hiring and leave qualified teachers who follow the formal application process at a disadvantage. The dispute comes as thousands of unemployed teachers seek opportunities in public schools. The TSC has advertised 20,000 permanent and pensionable teaching positions for Junior Secondary Schools, with applications open from August 18 to August 31, 2026. The Commission has also announced 34,016 promotion opportunities. The latest claims have consequently put the teacher recruitment process under fresh scrutiny, with questions now focused on whether all appointments are being made through the established TSC procedures or whether some political actors have access to teaching jobs outside the formal system.