TSC in upheaval as acting CEO Ms. Eveleen Mitei's term set to end

The TSC CEO position is once again at the centre of debate as Ms. Eveleen Mitei’s acting term nears its legal end in June. Teachers and stakeholders await clarity on the Teachers Service Commission’s next steps amid court action that has paused the formal recruitment process.

Key Takeaways

TSC CEO acting term for Ms. Eveleen Mitei ends in June and she cannot legally continue beyond two six‑month acting terms.
A High Court injunction has paused the recruitment of a substantive Secretary/Chief Executive Officer, delaying the appointment process.
Ms. Mitei is credited with reforms including an improved online transfer system, promotion plans for co‑curricular excellence, and suspension of disputed KEWOTA deductions.
The advertised CEO role requires a degree in education and at least ten years’ relevant experience under Section 16(2) of the TSC Act.

Current status: What is happening with the TSC CEO post?

The Teachers Service Commission is in transition. Ms. Eveleen Mitei has been acting as Secretary/Chief Executive Officer after Nancy Macharia’s retirement. Legally, an acting appointment is limited to two six‑month terms, and Mitei’s final acting period ends in June. At the same time, a High Court conservatory order has halted the recruitment exercise for the substantive CEO pending further hearing. This means the Commission cannot complete the advertised appointment until the court lifts the restriction.

Why teachers care: Ms. Eveleen Mitei’s reforms

Ms. Mitei has won support from many teachers through several practical changes. Key initiatives include:

Upgrading the online transfer platform to make teacher transfers easier when a swapmate is found.
Introducing promotion considerations for teachers who excel in co‑curricular activities such as games, music and drama.
Proposing independent junior school structures to give autonomy to junior schools hosted inside primary schools.
Leading a World Bank‑supported programme to upgrade P1 teachers and deploy them to junior schools.
Suspending KEWOTA payroll deductions after media exposes and invoking TSC payroll guidelines to halt the check‑off facility.

Court challenge and recruitment pause

A petitioner argued that the TSC advertised the CEO vacancy without a formal declaration of a vacancy and that the advertised qualifications were unduly restrictive. On February 3, the Kiambu High Court issued conservatory orders preventing TSC from continuing the recruitment of the Secretary/CEO until the matter is heard. The injunction affects the planned selection and has delayed appointment of the 10th CEO in TSC history. Meanwhile, a new selection panel has been formed to recruit two Commissioners, but the CEO process remains under court scrutiny.

Role overview: Duties and responsibilities of the Secretary/CEO

Under the TSC Act, the Secretary/CEO is the head of the secretariat and the Accounting Officer. The role includes:

Executing Commission decisions and ensuring implementation of policies.
Assigning duties and supervising Commission staff.
Custodianship of Commission records and ensuring staff compliance with public ethics.
Coordinating the execution of the Commission’s mandate across teacher recruitment, deployment, discipline and professional development.

Minimum qualifications and terms of service

Pursuant to Section 16(2) of the TSC Act, a candidate for Secretary/Chief Executive Officer must:

Be a citizen of Kenya.
Hold a degree in education from a recognised university.
Have at least ten years’ experience in education, administration and management, public administration, human resources or financial management.
Meet the requirements of Chapter Six of the Constitution.

The Secretary holds office for a term of five years and may be re‑appointed for one further five‑year term. Compensation follows the Salaries and Remuneration Commission guidelines.

Application process (as advertised)

Interested candidates were instructed to download and complete the TSC application form, attach a detailed CV, certified ID or passport copies, academic and professional certificates, and other testimonials. Applications could be submitted online through the TSC recruitment portal or sent by email in PDF format to the specified TSC mailbox. Hard copies were to be hand‑delivered in a sealed envelope to the Commission Chairman’s office. Applicants were required to include clearance certificates from KRA, HELB, EACC, DCI and a recognized Credit Reference Bureau. The advert noted that only shortlisted candidates would be contacted and warned that providing false information is an offence.

Implications for teachers and stakeholders

The pause in the CEO recruitment creates short‑term uncertainty at the Commission. For teachers, this means possible delays in policy roll‑outs, promotions, transfers and other administrative reforms. At the same time, reforms already initiated—such as the transfer platform improvements and co‑curricular promotion plans—may continue under existing management until a substantive appointment is made.

Where to find related teacher resources

Teachers and school managers can prepare for possible policy changes and continue professional development using curriculum and exam resources. Useful materials include curriculum designs and lesson plans for classroom use, as well as revision exams:

Stakeholders should monitor official TSC announcements and court updates for the latest on the recruitment timeline and any confirmed appointment. Meanwhile, teachers can use the linked resources to support classroom delivery and student assessment.