Didmus Barasa Responds to Wetang’ula’s TSC Letters Claims as Kenyans Express Outrage

Kimilili MP Didmus Barasa has distanced himself from claims by National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula that some Members of Parliament are selling Teachers Service Commission (TSC) employment letters allegedly issued through State House.

Barasa said he has never received TSC employment letters, maintaining that his role is to pray for people seeking employment.

“I have never received TSC letters. I am a Bishop; my work is to pray for those seeking employment, and when I pray for them, they get employed,” Barasa said.

His remarks come amid growing controversy over allegations that some MPs receive TSC employment opportunities through political channels and subsequently sell them to job seekers.

Wetang’ula sparked the debate after alleging that some MPs are given TSC letters at State House and later sell the opportunities to desperate Kenyans for as much as KSh400,000.

“I am disappointed with some of our MPs. You take them to the President at State House, the President gives them 10 TSC letters of employment, and instead of giving them out, they sell them,” Wetang’ula said.

In another account reported this week, Wetang’ula alleged that some MPs sell the letters for up to KSh400,000, describing the practice as immoral.

Sifuna raises concerns over TSC recruitment

Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna had earlier raised similar concerns, arguing that political involvement in teacher recruitment undermines institutions mandated to employ teachers.

Sifuna alleged that MPs allied to the broad-based government receive TSC employment letters and take them to their constituencies for distribution.

“The problem we have in this country is about not giving a chance to relevant institutions to do their job. Broad-based allied MPs are always given free TSC letters to go and sell them,” Sifuna said.

He further argued that such practices could deny deserving Kenyans opportunities to secure employment.

“Such actions lead to deserving people losing opportunities,” Sifuna added.

The allegations have intensified debate over whether teacher recruitment is being conducted through the proper institutional channels.

According to the documented TSC recruitment process, vacancies are advertised, qualified teachers apply, candidates are shortlisted and interviewed, and successful applicants are eventually issued appointment letters by the Commission.

Kenyans express outrage

Wetang’ula’s remarks have also triggered strong reactions from members of the public, with Kenyans questioning why employment opportunities meant to be administered through an independent commission would allegedly be distributed through politicians.

Some members of the public have questioned the fairness of a system in which highly sought-after teaching jobs could allegedly be accessed through political connections or money rather than qualifications and competitive recruitment.

The controversy has also shifted attention from the alleged sale of the letters to the wider question of why MPs would allegedly receive TSC employment letters in the first place.

Public reaction reported online has included accusations that the practice undermines merit-based recruitment and disadvantages thousands of qualified teachers who have waited for years for employment.

Some Kenyans have also demanded that the allegations be investigated and that anyone found to have sold employment opportunities be held accountable.

The backlash has placed renewed focus on the independence of the TSC and the need for transparency in the recruitment of teachers.

Questions over TSC independence

The controversy has raised questions about the constitutional mandate of the Teachers Service Commission and whether political actors should have any role in determining who gets teaching jobs.

The TSC recruitment process is designed around applications, shortlisting, interviews, vetting and merit lists before appointment letters are issued.

Wetang’ula’s allegations, however, have raised questions about how the letters he referred to are obtained and distributed.

Neither Barasa’s denial nor the allegations against unnamed MPs establish that every MP receives or sells TSC employment letters. Wetang’ula did not publicly name the MPs he accused, making it important for the claims to be independently investigated.

The controversy is therefore likely to continue as Kenyans demand answers over the alleged politicisation of teacher recruitment and whether deserving graduates are being denied employment opportunities because of political connections or financial demands.

Do you want to be published? E-mail info@thedailywhistle.co.ke or WhatsApp 0721930260