TSC Begins Recruitment of New Secretary/CEO as Nancy Macharia’s Term Ends; Qualifications and Application Process

TSC Begins Recruitment of New Secretary/CEO as Nancy Macharia’s Term Ends; Qualifications and Application Process.

The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has officially initiated the process of appointing a new Secretary and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), a move that comes two months before the retirement of the current officeholder, Nancy Macharia.

This announcement was made in the Tuesday edition of MyGov, setting May 27 as the deadline for submission of applications. Ms. Macharia, who has led the commission since July 2015, is set to leave office on June 30, 2025, after serving the maximum two terms allowed.

Qualifications and Application Process

To be considered for the role, applicants must be Kenyan citizens with a degree in education from a recognised Kenyan university. In addition to academic qualifications, candidates must have a minimum of ten years’ experience in education, public administration, financial or human resource management. They are also expected to meet the ethical and integrity standards outlined in Chapter Six of the Constitution.

Those interested are required to download and complete an application form from the TSC website and attach a detailed curriculum vitae, certified copies of their ID or passport, academic and professional credentials, and testimonials. Online submissions can be made via the commission’s portal or emailed in PDF format to [email protected]. Physical applications must be hand-delivered to TSC House, 3rd Floor, and marked clearly for the position.

Additionally, applicants must obtain clearance from several bodies, including the Kenya Revenue Authority, Higher Education Loans Board, Directorate of Criminal Investigations, Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission, and a recognised Credit Reference Bureau.

The TSC stated that the names of all applicants and the interview schedule for shortlisted candidates will be published both in print media and on the commission’s website once the advertisement period concludes. The appointment will be for a five-year term, renewable once based on performance.

It has emerged that Ms. Macharia had, in a letter dated December 1, 2024, urged the commission to initiate the recruitment process by January 2025. She cited several time-sensitive activities that would require continuity in leadership. These included negotiations for new collective bargaining agreements with teachers’ unions—set to expire the following month—along with employment and promotion of teachers.

She also highlighted critical administrative tasks such as renewal of the teachers’ medical cover and the shift to the Social Health Authority scheme, the 2025-2026 budget negotiations, and the finalisation of the TSC Act (Amendment) Bill, 2024. According to her letter, the timely recruitment of a new CEO was essential to ensure a seamless transition and stable operations.

Reflections on a Decade of Service

In the commission’s biennial publication Image, Ms. Macharia shared reflections on her tenure, detailing both achievements and obstacles. She expressed pride in overseeing a significant expansion in the teacher workforce, which grew from 311,665 in 2015 to 413,653 in 2025. She remarked that leading TSC had been a privilege and described the experience as immensely fulfilling.

“I can only look back with an incredible tinge of satisfaction,” she wrote, “Being at the helm has been an extraordinary privilege, and I am proud of what we have accomplished as a team.”

Read Also: TSC Announces 2,014 Teaching Vacancies as Teacher Shortage Bites

Despite her achievements, Ms. Macharia’s leadership has been met with mixed reactions from stakeholders. Her time in office has been marked by controversies ranging from allegations of favouritism in promotions and defiance of court orders to failure to implement some collective bargaining agreements. The issuance of employment letters by politicians has also caused concern, with critics accusing her of allowing political interference.

A senior union official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said, “There’s no denying her impact, but there were many times she acted unilaterally and sidelined legitimate processes. That created tension with unions and the teaching fraternity.”

As her departure draws near, the focus now shifts to who will take over the reins of the TSC and steer the commission through its next phase.

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