KNUT Boss Collins Oyuu Urges TSC to Uphold Integrity and Resist Political Interference in Teacher Recruitment
The Secretary General of the Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT), Collins Oyuu, has issued a stern call to the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) to uphold its autonomy, transparency, and constitutional mandate in the recruitment of teachers for public institutions.
Speaking at a Sunday service at Chepkogonyo Deliverance Church in Bomet County, Oyuu voiced strong concerns over recent teacher recruitment processes, alleging widespread political interference that compromised fairness and professionalism.
According to Oyuu, some politicians across the country have taken part in the illegal distribution of TSC appointment letters at funerals and public gatherings, a practice he condemned as politically motivated and harmful to the integrity of the teaching profession.
“The last teacher recruitment wasn’t done fairly. Politicians were dishing out TSC letters at funerals and barazas to gain political mileage. As a union, we feel the pain when our teachers are employed under questionable circumstances,” Oyuu lamented.
He emphasized that such actions not only erode public trust in the TSC but also cause distress among job-seeking graduates. KNUT branches nationwide, he said, have received numerous complaints from unemployed teachers who felt unfairly sidelined in favor of politically connected individuals.
Oyuu further claimed that teacher recruitment forms were being irregularly distributed, with some desperate applicants allegedly forced to sell family property to purchase the forms from unscrupulous individuals.
“We’ve received alarming reports of young graduates and their families selling land to buy TSC forms that were being auctioned. This is unacceptable,” he said.
KNUT, according to Oyuu, has compiled sufficient evidence of irregularities and is ready to present it to the TSC if an official inquiry is launched. He reiterated that the Commission must reinforce its internal systems and prioritize fairness by using clear criteria such as the year of graduation and academic qualifications during recruitment.
“Let teacher employment be based on merit. TSC must follow its guidelines strictly and avoid external manipulation,” he added.
His remarks come as the TSC plans to recruit 20,000 new teachers by July 2025 to address the current staffing shortfall in Kenyan schools. However, Oyuu warned that unless the recruitment process is safeguarded against external interference, these efforts will be undermined.
“We challenge the TSC to restore public trust by handling recruitments independently. Politicians are not recruitment agents and should not be issuing appointment letters,” he emphasized.
The growing public outcry, sparked by KNUT’s revelations, is expected to influence the upcoming recruitment exercise, with teachers and stakeholders closely monitoring how the TSC responds to the union’s concerns.
