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During a recent appearance before the Education Committee of the National Assembly on February 20, 2025, the commission was represented by Commissioner Ibrahim Gedi Mumin in an acting role.
The CEO position at the TSC is significant, as it oversees the largest workforce of over 350,000 teachers. Officials from teachers’ unions have called for a transparent recruitment process and have shared their expectations for the next CEO. Opinions on Ms. Macharia’s tenure at TSC vary depending on whom you ask.
Hesbon Otieno, the deputy secretary general of the Kenya National Union of Teachers (Knut), expressed the need for a collaborative leader who understands stakeholders and can implement a management style that satisfies everyone involved with the commission. He emphasized the importance of professionalism from the new TSC leader.
Mr. Otieno hopes that the next CEO will elevate the TSC and address unfinished business related to collective bargaining agreements, policy formulation, and the overall welfare of teachers to create a better working environment. He also mentioned that Knut anticipates a successor who will be attentive to the individual grievances of teachers.
Moses Nthurima, the acting secretary general of the Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (Kuppet), stated that Ms. Macharia will be remembered for her contributions to the commission. He noted that the recruitment advertisement for her replacement may be posted by the end of April. While acknowledging Ms. Macharia’s transformative impact, he pointed out that Kuppet does not have a role in the recruitment process.
He praised Ms. Macharia for her reforms at the TSC, suggesting that her successor will have an easier task. However, he criticized her for allegedly allowing politicians to influence teacher recruitment, claiming that they have been taking recruitment letters from her office to distribute to their constituents. He emphasized the need for teacher employment to be based on merit rather than political connections.
According to the TSC Act, to be appointed chief executive officer, one must be a citizen of Kenya, and hold a degree in education from a university recognised in Kenya.
“Has had at least 10 years’ experience in education, administration and management, public administration, human resource or financial management and meets the requirements of chapter six of the constitution,” reads the requirements in the TSC Act (2012).
The Act states that the secretary shall hold office for a term of five years but shall be eligible for re-appointment for one further term of five years.
The new TSC boss shall be the head of the secretariat, accounting officer of the commission, custodian of all records of the commission and responsible for executing decisions.
However, according to the Act, the secretary may be removed from office in accordance with the terms and conditions of service for inability to perform the functions of the office arising out of physical and mental infirmity, gross misconduct, or misbehaviour.