Clerics Join Teachers in Criticizing Tribalism & Gender Discrimination that Marred TSC Recruitment
Religious leaders from Nandi County have expressed their displeasure towards the Teaching Service Commission (TSC) for allegedly denying female teachers employment based on their counties of birth.
The head of AIC Nandi region, Bishop Patrice Chumba, and Rev. Dr. Peter Rono of Kapsabet Pentecostal Church have asked the TSC boss, Nancy Macharia, to intervene and give a directive that all the affected female teachers can be employed.
The clerics believe that this move by the TSC is discriminatory and goes against the spirit of integration.
It sends a message that the TSC does not recognize marriages and that candidates should apply for employment from their respective counties of birth.
This is not in line with Kenya’s international stance on empowering women and respecting family values.
“On Monday 23rd January at 1359hrs, I received a phone call from Tharaka North TSC sub-county director, inquiring my home sub-county and notifying me not to report the following day (Tuesday) since there were “changes” that had taken place.” A distressed teacher protested.
“I was disqualified on basis that though I was qualified for the job, I didn’t come from that area. With my home sub-county being Meru South in Tharaka Nithi County and the Sub-county I desire to work in Tharaka North.”
Bishop Chumba pointed out that the denial of employment for female teachers who hail from other regions but are married to men from Nandi County is particularly pronounced in the Chesumei sub-county.
He has urged the TSC to reconsider its decision and to hire these affected teachers.
If the TSC wants them to be posted back to their counties of birth, they should do so rather than deny them employment opportunities.
The female teachers in question graduated from their respective institutions between 2014 and 2018 and were expected to be part of the 35,000 teachers the government plans to hire.
They come from regions such as Laikipia, Baringo, Nakuru, Kericho, Kisumu, Uasin Gishu, Trans Nzoia, Vihiga, Kakamega, Bungoma, Kisii, and Elgeyo Marakwet.
However, despite presenting their marriage documents, they were allegedly stopped from collecting their employment letters in various Nandi sub-county TSC offices.
“It is important that the TSC addresses these allegations and ensures that their hiring decisions are based on qualifications, experience, and availability of positions, rather than on factors such as county of birth or local residency. Am affected by such.” Nancy Natasha, a teacher protested.
“Where is TSC independence. Person I was denied a chance based on the county of birth and when I went to the tsc county director I was told the directives are from the MPs… Please Our boss Nancy Macharia hear our humble cry.”
Bishop Chumba has called for justice for these women, stating that it is not a crime for them to be married away from their homes.
It aligns with the national integration process and could help end the cancer of tribalism in Kenya.
The two religious leaders spoke about this issue after the Sunday service in Kapsabet town, and the TSC is yet to respond to their calls for intervention.
Clerics Join Teachers in Criticizing Tribalism & Gender Discrimination that Marred TSC Recruitment
