The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has initiated a significant reshuffle of county and sub-county Directors across the country.
This shake-up comes in response to complaints from teachers regarding delays in promotions and transfers and is viewed as a move to restore harmony within the education sector. The ongoing tension between teachers and TSC field officers has been escalating for months, with many educators accusing specific officers of withholding promotions or delaying transfers.
The TSC has confirmed the changes, which involve filling vacancies left by retired officers and promoting others. The transfers have impacted counties such as Murang’a, Kakamega, Bungoma, Homa Bay, and West Pokot, among others.
In Murang’a, Fredrick Ng’ang’a, the outgoing County Director, has been promoted to Regional Director for the Coast region, succeeding the long-serving Victoria Muoka, who has retired.
Margaret Kinyanjui, previously the Kakamega County Director, has been transferred to Murang’a to take over Ng’ang’a’s position.
Wilson Koros, who was overseeing Bungoma County, will now head Kakamega, while Evans Esese has been promoted to lead Bungoma after his tenure at the TSC headquarters.
In West Pokot, Dr. Esther Musani has been transferred from Homa Bay to succeed Francis Lotam, who recently retired.
Milton Oyugi, who previously managed Kericho County, will take over Musani’s position in Homa Bay, while Joseph Atwoto, the former head of Samburu County, will fill Oyugi’s role in Kericho.
Several other counties have also undergone significant changes. Dr. Peter Muasya has been moved from Kwale to Samburu, with Dr. Esther Njiru stepping in to replace him.
Mohammed Kaboo, who served as the Deputy Director in Tharaka Nithi, has been promoted to head the county, filling the vacancy left by Anne Wawuda, who has been transferred to Mombasa after a brief stint in Tharaka Nithi.
In Taita Taveta, David Gutu will take over from Shee Shally as the County Director.
Samwel Wasonga, who was the Taita Taveta Sub-County Director, has been reassigned to Bumula in the same capacity, replacing Shivachi Ndombi.
Shivachi has now moved to Busia County on promotion as the new Deputy Director, succeeding John Wepoke. Wepoke has been transferred to West Pokot, replacing Joseph Musyoka, who is heading to Tharaka Nithi.
The transfers also impacted the Deputy Directors, with David Mogaka, who was serving in Elgeyo Marakwet, swapped with his Kericho counterpart, Dr. Aleke.
Everlyne Chemjor, the Sub-County Director of Tongaren in Bungoma, has been reassigned to Nandi as the new Deputy Director, taking over from Wilfred Mosigisi. Mosigisi has moved to Bomet, filling a position left vacant by Daniel Mochama, who retired earlier this year.
This reshuffle comes just two months after the TSC interviewed 50 Sub-County Directors, leading to significant changes in the placements of both Sub-County and County Directors. Earlier this year, the Commission also advertised for 13 positions of Deputy Directors in Teacher Management, a new role established through the adoption of the Career Progression Guidelines for Secretariat staff.
Despite these changes, field officers continue to appeal to the TSC for automatic promotions, especially in light of the government’s decision to upgrade officers within the Ministry of Education. Many TSC officers serving as Sub-County Directors remain in Job Group N or P, while County Directors and Regional Directors hold Job Group R.
In contrast, their counterparts in the Ministry of Education have been promoted to higher job groups, prompting many field officers to seek similar upgrades.
As the reshuffle unfolds, many within the education sector are closely monitoring how these changes will impact the relationship between teachers and the TSC. For now, there is hope that the new leadership appointments will ease tensions and foster a more supportive environment for teachers across the country.
