Moses Kuria slams politicians for handing out teachers’ appointment letters
Kuria further expressed concern over the practice of showcasing employment forms at public gatherings such as rallies and funerals, saying it had become a troubling norm.
Moses Kuria, a Senior Advisor to President William Ruto’s Council of Economic Advisors, has taken a swipe at politicians who have been distributing teachers’ employment letters.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, April 22, 2025, Kuria criticized the growing practice, saying that in certain regions, it had escalated to the point where politicians were openly claiming to have control over recruitment letters.
Kuria further expressed concern over the practice of showcasing employment forms at public gatherings such as rallies and funerals, saying it had become a troubling norm.
Previously serving as the Trade Cabinet Secretary before his current advisory role, Kuria criticized the habit, warning that it could undermine the strides made in the education sector and harm the nation’s broader development efforts.
As outlined in the Basic Education Act of 2013, the mandate to hire and dismiss teachers lies solely with the Teachers Service Commission (TSC).
"There are many destructive ideas out there, but one of the most glaring in recent times is the spectacle of politicians flaunting teachers’ employment forms at rallies and funerals," said Kuria in a strongly worded statement shared on his X account.
"It’s heartbreaking, especially for those of us who owe our success to dedicated teachers. It’s a shame we’ve stooped this low."
Kuria’s remarks followed a statement from the Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT), which had called on the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) to be more considerate in its hiring practices amid controversy over the promotion of 25,000 teachers.
In a press briefing on Saturday, April 19, 2025, KNUT Secretary General Collins Oyuu emphasized that the TSC should prioritize hiring teachers who completed their college education earlier than recent graduates.
"The commission must be fair and human. The idea of picking on a teacher who completed teachers college in 2023 and leaving those who completed college in 2010 leaves more questions than answers," he said.
"And as a union, we must state categorically that even in employment, you must be very fair, because we have teachers who are over 50 years old; where will they go? Because they are still out there, they must be employed."
In the face of mounting concerns and potential scandal, TSC Chief Executive Officer Nancy Macharia dismissed accusations that politicians had been distributing teacher appointment letters.
She asserted that the recruitment process is carried out professionally and follows established procedures.
"I saw this in the newspapers. It's damaging the reputation of TSC, as we are the ones legally responsible for recruiting teachers," Macharia told MPs during her appearance before the National Assembly's Committee on Constitutional Implementation in early April 2025.