The Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) has raised alarm over alleged political interference in the ongoing Teachers Service Commission (TSC) teacher promotion interviews.

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The union wants TSC to ensure the exercise is conducted independently and that teachers are promoted based on merit, experience, and established procedures.

KUPPET officials in Kisii accused some politicians of allegedly moving around with recommendation letters for preferred teachers in an attempt to influence promotion decisions.

The union warned that such interventions could undermine confidence in the process and disadvantage teachers who qualify for promotion but lack political connections.

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“We want TSC to act as an independent commission. We do not want political interference in these promotions or politicians walking around with lists of a few selected teachers which they will forward to TSC to get favours,” KUPPET officials said.

The concerns come as TSC conducts a major promotion exercise involving 34,016 vacancies, with the second phase covering secondary school teachers, Teacher Training College personnel and Curriculum Support Officers running from September 17 to 25.

KUPPET has urged the Commission to safeguard the integrity of the interviews and ensure all eligible teachers have an equal opportunity to compete, with merit, experience and years of service considered in the selection process.

The union's concerns come amid wider pressure on the government over teachers' working conditions, with KUPPET Secretary-General Akello Misori on Thursday, September 24, threatening to direct teachers to withdraw from duties related to the administration and marking of the 2026 national examinations.

Misori said the allowances paid to teachers serving as examiners, supervisors, invigilators and centre managers were too low and called on the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) to review the payments.

“We want to remind the SRC to be on the frontline to safeguard the rights of the teachers or workers who undertake such projects. Imagine a centre organiser, who is a professional, is being paid below what a construction worker is being paid,” Misori stated.

📰 Source: Kenyans.co.ke