TSC transfers county directors amid tension with teachers

Teacher Service Commission CEO Nancy Macharia when she appeared before the Senate National Cohesion Committee over recruitment of teachers. [File, Standard] 

The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has embarked on major reshuffle of county and sub-county Directors across the country.

The shake-up, which comes amid complaints from teachers about delays in promotions and transfers, is being seen as a step towards restoring harmony within the education sector.

The tension between teachers and TSC field officers has been simmering for months, with many teachers pointing fingers at certain officers for withholding promotions or delaying transfers.

The changes, which include the filling of vacancies left by retired officers and the promotion of others, were confirmed by the TSC.

The transfers affected Murang’a, Kakamega, Bungoma, Homa Bay, and West Pokot counties, among others.

In Murang’a, Fredrick Ng’ang’a, the outgoing County Director, has been promoted to Regional Director for the Coast region, replacing the long-serving Victoria Muoka, who retired.

Margaret Kinyanjui, formerly the Kakamega County Director, has been transferred to Murang’a to take over Ng’ang’a’s position.

Wilson Koros, who was in charge of Bungoma County, will now head Kakamega, while Evans Esese has been promoted to lead Bungoma after serving at the TSC headquarters.

In West Pokot, Dr. Esther Musani has been transferred from Homa Bay to take over from Francis Lotam, who recently retired.

Milton Oyugi, previously in charge of Kericho County, will replace Musani in Homa Bay, while Joseph Atwoto, who headed Samburu County, will take over Oyugi’s role in Kericho.
Several other counties have also seen significant changes.

Dr Peter Muasya has been moved from Kwale to Samburu, with Dr Esther Njiru replacing him.

Mohammed Kaboo, who was the Deputy Director in Tharaka Nithi, has been promoted to head the county, filling the vacancy left by Anne Wawuda, who has been transferred to Mombasa after a brief stint in Tharaka Nithi.

In Taita Taveta, David Gutu will take over from Shee Shally as the County Director.

Samwel Wasonga who was Taita/Taveta Sub-County Director has been moved to Bumula in the same capacity replacing Shivachi Ndombi.

Shivachi now moves to Busia County on promotion as the new Deputy Director, succeeding John Wepoke.

Wepoke, was transferred to West Pokot, replacing Joseph Musyoka, who now heads to Tharaka Nithi.

The transfers also affected the Deputy Directors, with David Mogaka who was serving in Elgeyo Marakwet swapped places with his Kericho counterpart, Dr Aleke.

Everlyne Chemjor, the Sub-County Director of Tongaren in Bungoma, was reassigned to Nandi as the new Deputy Director, replacing Wilfred Mosigisi.

Mosigisi has moved to Bomet, filling a position left vacant by Daniel Mochama’s exit this year after retirement.

The reshuffle comes just two months after the TSC interviewed 50 Sub-County Directors, a process that led to widespread changes in the placement of both Sub-County and County Directors.

Earlier this year, the Commission also advertised for 13 positions of Deputy Directors – Teacher Management, a new role created through the adoption of the Career Progression Guidelines for Secretariat staff.

Despite these changes, field officers have continued to appeal to the TSC for automatic promotions, particularly in light of the government’s decision to upgrade officers within the Ministry of Education.

Many TSC officers serving as Sub-County Directors remain in Job Group N or P, while County Directors and Regional Directors hold Job Group R.

In contrast, their counterparts in the Ministry of Education have been promoted to higher job groups, leaving many field officers seeking similar upgrades.

As the reshuffle unfolds, many within the education sector are watching closely to see how these changes will impact the relationship between teachers and the TSC.

For now, the hope is that the new leadership appointments will ease tensions and foster a more supportive environment for teachers across the country.