KNUT Protests TSC Teacher Transfers, Alleges Political Interference.
The Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) has protested the latest teacher transfers in Lurambi Constituency, Kakamega County, alleging that the exercise was influenced by politicians and carried out contrary to the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) transfer procedures.
Union officials called on the Teachers Service Commission to explain the transfers, claiming that the exercise unfairly targeted senior branch officials and exposed teachers to uncertainty regarding their work stations.
KNUT Alleges Irregular Teacher Transfers
Officials from the Kenya National Union of Teachers in Lurambi Constituency alleged that the transfers affected the branch Chairperson, Jacob Sifuna, and Deputy Chairperson, Gilbert Etole, in what the union described as a departure from the commission’s established transfer procedures.
The union maintained that the transfers were politically motivated and expressed concern over alleged interference by political leaders in matters that fall under the constitutional mandate of the Teachers Service Commission.
Teachers affected by the transfers reportedly stated that the exercise had left them uncertain about their future postings and disrupted their professional responsibilities.
Union Raises Concerns Over Political Interference
Kenya National Union of Teachers Kakamega Branch Treasurer Jackline Mulindi urged the Teachers Service Commission to protect teachers from political influence in transfer decisions.
“We would like to ask the TSC to kindly protect its members from the political class. If we can have members of parliament manipulating transfers of teachers, I think it is very unfortunate for us,” Mulindi said.
The union further alleged that some teachers had received threats in relation to the transfers and appealed to the commission to safeguard affected staff members.
According to union officials, some educators also claimed that the transfers disproportionately affected teachers who were not originally from the locality.
KNUT Calls for Adherence to TSC Mandate
Kenya National Union of Teachers Lurambi Branch Executive Secretary Tom Ingolo called upon political leaders to refrain from interfering with teacher deployment, emphasizing that staffing and transfer decisions fall exclusively under the mandate of the Teachers Service Commission.
The union maintained that deployment decisions should remain independent and be implemented in accordance with the commission’s regulations and administrative procedures.
Lurambi MP Denies Involvement
Lurambi Member of Parliament Titus Khamala Mukhwana denied allegations that he influenced the transfers.
The legislator stated that he has no legal authority to transfer teachers and maintained that the responsibility for teacher deployment rests solely with the Teachers Service Commission.
TSC Previously Warned Against Political Interference
The latest dispute follows remarks made last month by Acting Teachers Service Commission Chief Executive Officer Evaleen Mitei, who acknowledged that political interference in teacher deployment remains a concern for the commission.
Evaleen Mitei cautioned politicians and other stakeholders against attempting to influence teacher deployment, reiterating that the Teachers Service Commission is the only institution mandated to recruit, deploy, transfer, and manage teachers in public schools.
Ongoing Opposition to Delocalisation Transfers
The dispute also comes amid continued opposition by teachers to transfers associated with the Teachers Service Commission’s delocalisation policy.
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Teachers have argued that the policy has displaced long-serving educators from their home counties and separated families, while others have expressed dissatisfaction with the outcome of appeals submitted to the commission’s transfer committee.
According to the affected teachers, many appeals have not resulted in the reversal of transfer decisions, with some educators continuing to receive postings to distant regions despite seeking reconsideration.
KNUT Protests TSC Teacher Transfers, Alleges Political Interference.
