Teachers Defy TSC to invigilate elections

Teachers employed by the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) are taking at least a day off work to attend interviews at differentIEBC centers.
Despite some TSC officials at County and Sub County levels issuing a warning against taking part in the exercise, teachers are defying and attending.

Some of the jobs teachers apply for at the IEBC during the election period include Presiding officers, Deputy presiding officers, and Polling clerks.
One of the teachers said life is too hard for them especially due to high food prices and the cost of fuel.

Most teachers said they are struggling to feed themselves and their families and it will be insane not to secure such temporary jobs which help to mitigate the financial burden.

This is not the first-time teachers are defying TSC threats from its officials which include County Directors, Sub County Directors, and CSOs.

During previous elections, such threats have been issued and still, teachers attended and worked as IEBC officials.

However, TSC Upper Hill has not been issuing a warning to teachers directly against working for IEBC as election officials.

The Commission has only been warning teachers against taking part in active political engagements.

In Circular number 14/2020 dated 1/12/2020 the Commission prohibits teachers from taking part in any active political engagements while still in service of the Commission; and further requires them to refrain from the following:

(1) holding office in a political party;

(2) engaging in a political activity that may compromise or be seen to compromise the political neutrality of the office they hold;

(3) publicly indicating support for or opposition to any political party or candidate in an election; and

(4) engaging in activities of any political party or candidate, or acting as an agent of a political party or candidate in an election.

TSC CEO Dr. Nancy Macharia says in congruence with the spirit of national values and good governance under the Constitution which includes impartiality and political neutrality, it is vital for all employees of the Commission to adhere to strict observance of the law in respect hereof by abstaining from taking part in political engagements.

In this regard, she ordered all employees of the Commission to shun partisan political activities while in active public service.

Macharia says any employee who currently holds and/or engages in political activities is in violation of the law and is liable to disciplinary action.

She advised such an employee to immediately resign from their office.
Do you agree with TSC for preventing teachers to take part in elections?

She further says any breach of the directions of the Circular shall result in disciplinary action.