Long-Serving TSC CEO Nancy Macharia Set to Retire.
The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) Secretary and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Dr. Nancy Macharia, has announced her retirement early next year. This marks the end of her 10-year tenure, which has drawn both praise and criticism in equal measure.
Career Milestones
Dr. Macharia, 62, assumed the position of TSC Secretary and CEO in June 2015 after succeeding Gabriel Lengoiboni, who retired on June 30, 2015.
Her appointment followed a competitive recruitment process that attracted over 60 applicants, from which four were shortlisted. Initially appointed for a five-year term, her contract was extended in June 2020.
She holds a doctorate degree, a Master of Education (Policy and Management) from Bristol University, UK, and a Bachelor of Education in English and Literature from Kenyatta University.
Dr. Macharia began her career in education as an assistant teacher and has served in the sector for over 28 years. She taught at Kahuhia Girls’ Secondary in Murang’a for five years before being promoted to deputy principal at Kianderi Girls’ Secondary in 1992.
Legacy at TSC
During her tenure, Dr. Macharia implemented several transformative policies, including:
| Policy | Description |
|---|---|
| Delocalization | A controversial initiative strongly opposed by teacher unions. |
| Career Progression Guidelines (2018) | Replaced the Schemes of Service for teacher promotion. |
| Digitalization | Streamlined teacher services by digitizing various processes. |
She is also credited with facilitating the signing of the first Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) between the government and teachers, represented by the Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) and the Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET). The 2016-2021 CBA, implemented in four phases, cost the government Ksh54 billion and led to unprecedented salary increases for teachers.
Under her leadership, over 300,000 teachers were retooled to equip them with the skills and competencies required for implementing the new curriculum and assessment framework.
Announcements and Reflections
Dr. Macharia made her retirement announcement during the 64th Annual Delegates Conference (ADC) of KNUT in Mombasa. She expressed gratitude to the union for their professionalism over the years. Reflecting on her service, she noted her satisfaction with the collaborative relationship she had cultivated with KNUT.
Earlier this year, an insider revealed that Dr. Macharia is set to proceed on terminal leave in March 2024, ahead of her official retirement in June.
Challenges and Achievements
Despite her achievements, Dr. Macharia faced criticism, particularly regarding the delocalization policy. However, she was vindicated in 2023 when the High Court dismissed a petition seeking her removal over corruption allegations.
The petitioner, activist Francis Owino, accused her of misappropriating over Ksh3 billion. Justice Lawrence Mugambi ruled the petition premature, citing insufficient evidence.
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In 2014, Dr. Macharia was honored with the Order of Grand Warrior by former President Uhuru Kenyatta for her contributions to development.
Historical Context
Dr. Macharia joins a distinguished list of past TSC Secretaries and CEOs:
| Name | Tenure |
| Jesse Muhoro | 1967-1974 |
| James Kamunge | 1974-1977 |
| Duncan Mwangi | 1978-1980 |
| Joseph Lijembe | 1980-1982 |
| Jackson Kang’ali | 1982-1998 |
| Benjamin Sogomo | 1998-2003 |
| James Ongwae | 2003-2004 |
| Gabriel Lengoiboni | 2004-2015 |
Conclusion
As Dr. Nancy Macharia prepares to leave office, her legacy reflects a mix of bold reforms and resilience amid challenges. Her contributions to the teaching profession will undoubtedly leave a lasting impact.
Long-Serving TSC CEO Nancy Macharia Set to Retire
