Non-local teachers seeking transfers from North Eastern Kenya due to insecurity have been dealt a severe setback after the Teachers Service Commission arrested them for dereliction of duty.
This follows the commission's directive in September for teachers to report to their workstations.
The aggrieved teachers, who accuse the TSC of exceeding its jurisdiction, have announced that they will camp outside the TSC's headquarters next week and beg Parliament to intervene.
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Geoffrey Kipng'eno Lelon is a Kericho County teacher living in Mandera County. They were unable to return to their workstations, along with many others, due to what he and others perceive as insecurity and have been interdicted by the Commission.
"Tunalipa police reservist 1500 ndio tuchungwe... hauwezi travel ni 1,100kms na air transport is KSh.""We can't afford $12,000," Lelon moaned.
The Nancy Macharia-led commission cited a violation of the Teachers Service Commission Act in letters sent to affected teachers, stating: "I am directed by the Teachers Service Commission to say that, it is alleged that you have breached clause (b) (iv) of the Third Schedule of the Act in that: You deserted duty with effect from 09/09/2023 to date while teaching at Rhamu Day Secondary School.”
Another letter read: "I am directed by the Teachers Service Commission to say that, it is alleged that you have breached clause (b) (iv) of the Third Schedule of the Act in that: You deserted duty with effect from 09/09/2023 to date while teaching at Fincharo Primary School."
"Consequently, you are hereby interdicted with effect from 22/09/2023, this applying to all the teachers who were served by the TSC."
Some impacted teachers who sought consensus condemned the TSC's decision out of fear of retaliation from the employing authority.
