Dr Nancy Macharia, the outgoing CEO of the Teachers Service Commission when she appeared before the Constitutional Implementations Oversight Committee in Nairobi on April 8, 2025.
The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has formally started the process to recruit a secretary to the commission who also serves as its chief executive officer just two months before the incumbent Nancy Macharia retires.
The TSC call for qualified persons to apply for the job is contained in the latest (Tuesday) edition of MyGov and applicants have until May 27 to send their applications. Ms Macharia’s term at the helm of the commission comes to an end on June 30 2025.
The Nation has also established that the outgoing CEO had in December advised the commission to commence the process of recruiting her successor in January to allow for proper induction and onboarding of the new boss. However, it is unclear why her advice was not adhered to.
To qualify for appointment, a person must be a Kenyan citizen who holds a degree in education from a university recognised in Kenya. The ideal candidate must also have at least ten years’ experience in education, administration and management, public administration, human resource or financial management as well as meet the requirements of Chapter Six of the Constitution.
Appointment to head the TSC secretariat is on a five-year term but the holder is eligible for re-appointment for one further term of five years, based on performance. Ms Macharia assumed the role in July 2015 and has served for two terms.
According to the advertisement, interested candidates should download the application form from the TSC website (www.tsc.go.ke), fill and submit together with a detailed curriculum vitae, certified copies of their national identity card or passport, relevant academic and professional certificates and testimonials. Online applicants should use the application form that is accessible electronically in the application portal.
In addition, candidates should get clearance from the Kenya Revenue Authority, the Higher Education Loans Board, the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations and a recognised Credit Reference Bureau.
The applications should be submitted online through the application portal using the link https://www.recruitment. tsc.go.ke or as a PDF file format attachment by emailing to [email protected].
Hand-delivered applications should be done during official working hours in a sealed envelope clearly marked at the right top “Application for the post of Secretary/ Chief Executive Officer’’ at the office of the commission chairman at TSC House, 3rd Floor, Nairobi.
“The names of all applicants and the interview schedule of those shortlisted shall be published in the print media and the commission’s website at www.tsc.go.ke after the closure of this advertisement and shortlisting process,” the advertisement reads.
In her letter to the commission chair Jamleck Muturi dated December 1 2024 and seen by Nation, Ms Macharia lists critical activities at TSC as reason for her advice to commence the recruitment in January 2025.
These include negotiations for collective bargaining agreements with teachers unions. The current CBAs will expire at the end of next month. She also mentions employment of new teachers as well as promotions before her term comes to an end.
Others include renewal of teachers medical scheme and transition to the Social Health Authority scheme, budget negotiations for the 2025-2026 financial year as well as finalization of the TSC Act (Amendment) Bill, 2024.
“In view of the above and taking into consideration the sensitivity of the CEO’s office in the management of the ever-expanding public teaching service and the intricate recruitment process, it is my considered recommendation and I hereby advise that the recruitment of the new commission secretary/CEO be commenced by January 1 2025 and be fast-tracked to facilitate efficient and seamless transition in the CEO’s office,” Ms Macharia says in the letter.
In the latest edition of Image, a TSC biennial booklet, she enumerates her achievements as well as challenges as CEO of the commission. Her tenure splits opinion among different players in the education sector.
“I can only look back with an incredible tinge of satisfaction over the milestones achieved (in the 10 years in office. Being at the helm has been an extraordinary privilege and I am proud of what we have accomplished as a team. The teacher establishment has grown in 10 years from 311,665 (in 2015) to 413,653 (in 2025),” Ms Macharia writes.
From claims of high-handedness, defiance of court orders, favouritism in promotion of teachers, non-implementation of collective bargaining agreements (CBAs), arbitrary and illegal issuance of employment letters by politicians, Ms Macharia has waded through the storm.
