The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) headquarters in Nairobi. Photo/FILE
By ALPHONCE SHIUNDU ashiundu@ke.nationmedia.com
Posted Thursday, January 10 2013 at 02:07
Posted Thursday, January 10 2013 at 02:07
IN SUMMARY
- MPs say Dr Lydia Nzomo, who had topped at the interview stage, should have been appointed to head TSC
Parliament on Wednesday night rejected the nomination of Mr Kiragu wa Magochi as the chairman of the Teachers Service Commission (TSC).
The lawmakers said Dr Lydia Nzomo, who had topped at the interview stage, should have been appointed to head the crucial commission that employs and certifies all the the country’s teachers.
However, MPs approved Mr Cleophas Tirop, Mr Fredrick Ochieng and Mr Adan Sheikh Abdullahi as members of the commission.
The MPs want an explanation as to why Dr Nzomo’s name was not presented to President Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga for nomination.
They want the whole process investigated and those found guilty for the omission punished.
The approval followed the fresh submission of a list to the House earlier in the day.
The fresh letter to the House is signed by Mr Francis Kimemia, the Head of Civil Service and Secretary to the Cabinet.
It came after MPs rejected the first list that was brought to the House on December 27 last year.
President Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga approved the new list of commissioners to sit in the TSC.
In a letter to the Clerk of the National Assembly dated January 8, 2013, the Office of the President added Mr Cleophas Tirop to the earlier list, and dropped Mr James Kahindi.
The Speaker, through the temporary Deputy Speaker Ekwee Ethuro, said the House had to look at the names and ensure they are approved before the House goes on recess on Thursday.
He directed the Education Committee of the House to ensure the deadline is met.
The committee met on Wednesday afternoon, tabled the report an hour later, the report was debated after three hours, and approved within 30 minutes.
Prior to the debate in the House, teachers’ unions, religious groups and the public had expressed discontent about the individuals picked to serve as chairperson and commissioners at the TSC, mainly because the best candidates were overlooked.
At the centre was the concern that people who scored top grades in the panel interview that was chaired by veteran educationist James Kamunge were sidelined and instead those with lower marks picked and recommended for appointment.
Yet, the spirit of the Constitution is to promote open, competitive, transparent and merit-based recruitment to ensure that those serving in public office are persons with superior professional, moral and academic credentials.
Dr Kamunge’s selection panel ranked Kenya Institute of Education’s Dr Lydia Nzomo number one with a score of 80.3 per cent while Mr Kiragu wa Magochi was second with 73.3 per cent.
Of the members’ nominees, Kenya Secondary School Heads Association chairman and Nairobi School principal Cleophas Tirop was tops with a score of 81.4 per cent followed by Dr Salome Gichura, who scored 78.7 per cent and Mr Julius Jwan with 71.8 per cent.
Parliament on Wednesday night rejected the nomination of Mr Kiragu wa Magochi as the chairman of the Teachers Service Commission (TSC).
The lawmakers said Dr Lydia Nzomo, who had topped at the interview stage, should have been appointed to head the crucial commission that employs and certifies all the the country’s teachers.
However, MPs approved Mr Cleophas Tirop, Mr Fredrick Ochieng and Mr Adan Sheikh Abdullahi as members of the commission.
The MPs want an explanation as to why Dr Nzomo’s name was not presented to President Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga for nomination.
They want the whole process investigated and those found guilty for the omission punished.
The approval followed the fresh submission of a list to the House earlier in the day.
The fresh letter to the House is signed by Mr Francis Kimemia, the Head of Civil Service and Secretary to the Cabinet.
It came after MPs rejected the first list that was brought to the House on December 27 last year.
President Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga approved the new list of commissioners to sit in the TSC.
In a letter to the Clerk of the National Assembly dated January 8, 2013, the Office of the President added Mr Cleophas Tirop to the earlier list, and dropped Mr James Kahindi.
The Speaker, through the temporary Deputy Speaker Ekwee Ethuro, said the House had to look at the names and ensure they are approved before the House goes on recess on Thursday.
He directed the Education Committee of the House to ensure the deadline is met.
The committee met on Wednesday afternoon, tabled the report an hour later, the report was debated after three hours, and approved within 30 minutes.
Prior to the debate in the House, teachers’ unions, religious groups and the public had expressed discontent about the individuals picked to serve as chairperson and commissioners at the TSC, mainly because the best candidates were overlooked.
At the centre was the concern that people who scored top grades in the panel interview that was chaired by veteran educationist James Kamunge were sidelined and instead those with lower marks picked and recommended for appointment.
Yet, the spirit of the Constitution is to promote open, competitive, transparent and merit-based recruitment to ensure that those serving in public office are persons with superior professional, moral and academic credentials.
Dr Kamunge’s selection panel ranked Kenya Institute of Education’s Dr Lydia Nzomo number one with a score of 80.3 per cent while Mr Kiragu wa Magochi was second with 73.3 per cent.
Of the members’ nominees, Kenya Secondary School Heads Association chairman and Nairobi School principal Cleophas Tirop was tops with a score of 81.4 per cent followed by Dr Salome Gichura, who scored 78.7 per cent and Mr Julius Jwan with 71.8 per cent.
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