The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has commenced the recruitment process for its next chief executive officer, as current CEO Dr Nancy Macharia approaches the end of her term on June 30, 2025.
In a public notice released on Tuesday, the Commission invited qualified Kenyan citizens to apply for the high-ranking position, setting a three-week deadline for submissions.
This announcement came amid growing public interest and recent speculation. On Friday, February 21, the Commission dismissed a social media post claiming that TSC had appointed its Senior Deputy Director Ibrahim Gedi as Macharia’s replacement.
The commission termed the report as fake and cautioned Kenyans to be wary of such misleading information, clarifying that no successor has been appointed yet.
Dr Nancy Macharia, who made history in 2015 as the first woman to lead the Commission, took over from Gabriel Lengoiboni following a competitive selection process that began on May 1, 2015. Lengoiboni retired in June of that year, paving the way for a new chapter in the Commission’s leadership.
Her nearly decade-long tenure has drawn both praise and criticism.
While she is credited with spearheading several education reforms and digitising TSC operations, her tenure has also faced scrutiny over unresolved issues such as job stagnation, large-scale teacher transfers, and what critics have described as strained relations with teachers’ unions.
Some unions have faulted her administration for implementing unpopular policies without adequate consultation, leading to a notable rift between the TSC and union leaders.
According to the TSC Act, the new CEO will serve a five-year term, renewable once based on performance.
Applicants must hold a degree in education from a recognised institution and have at least 10 years of experience in education, public administration, human resources, or financial management. They are also required to meet the leadership and integrity standards set out in Chapter Six of the Constitution.
The incoming CEO will act as the Commission’s accounting officer, oversee staff, maintain Commission records, and ensure effective execution of TSC decisions and policies while upholding national ethics and values.
The position remains one of the most influential roles in Kenya’s education sector, overseeing the welfare and management of over 300,000 teachers nationwide.
