Teachers Service Commission Chief Executive Officer Nancy Macharia has issued a warning to teachers in line with a directive from the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC).
In a statement on Tuesday, December 8, the CEO asked teachers to stay away from political parties as directed by the EACC.
In October 2020, EACC CEO Twalib Mbarak ordered all appointed government officials and public servants, including teachers, to avoid political activities or face prosecution.
Mbarak had noted that some public servants had become involved in political activities to an extent of taking up political positions.
He further noted that the involvement of civil servants in the political activities eroded the neutrality of their offices.
"It has come to our attention that some officers in public service are getting involved in the promotion or advancement of activities and affairs of political parties, including taking up office in political parties, to the prejudice of public duties, and in contravention of express provisions of the Constitution and the law
"This prohibition is amplified under Section 23 of the Leadership and Integrity Act, 2012, which provides that an appointed officer shall not engage in activities of any political party or candidate, or act as an agent of a political party or candidate in an election,” read the EACC directive in part.
The statement also demanded that civil servants resign before aligning themselves with political parties.
"The commission advises that any public officer who could be currently holding an office in a political party is in violation of the law and liable to the applicable sanctions, including within their respective institutional codes of conduct and ethics.
“Accordingly, any appointed public officer falling in the above category is required to immediately resign from such office,” continued the statement.
Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) Secretary-General Wilson Sossion has for years had a protracted battle with TSC over his involvement in politics.
In 2018, the commission de-registered Sossion and nine others who it claimed had taken positions in political parties.
Sossion has, however, declined stepping aside as the SG of KNUT unless voted out by delegates. He currently serves as a nominated MP under the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party.
