A section of leaders from counties in the North Rift has expressed support for acting Teachers Service Commission CEO Eveleen Mitei.
They said she is well placed to head the commission on a substantive basis.
Mitei has been acting as TSC chief executive since June 30, 2025, following the retirement of Nancy Macharia, who served in the position for 10 years between 2015 and 2025.
North Rift community and opinion leaders, together with members of the clergy, parents and youth, said Mitei should be considered for the substantive position.
Opinion leaders Benjamin Leting and Jane Meto said Mitei had risen through the ranks at the TSC and had gained extensive experience within the institution.
“Since she took over, Mitei has been running the TSC professionally and we believe she is fit for the job. TSC will be stronger in her hands,” Leting said.
Mitei joined the TSC in 1994 as a teacher and moved to the commission’s secretariat in 1999. She later rose through the ranks and served as director of Teacher Discipline Management.
She holds a master of science in human resource management from the University of Manchester in the United Kingdom and a Bachelor of Education degree from Moi University.
“Her qualifications speak for her as the best-placed person to manage the affairs of teachers in this country,” Leting said.
He said, given time and full authority, Mitei would strengthen the commission and contribute to the interests of the teaching profession and the wider education sector.
“We have seen that since she took over TSC, there have been no hitches concerning the running of the institution," Leting said.
"Therefore, she really fits into the shoes left by former CEO Nancy Macharia. She has what it takes in terms of leadership, management and human resource.”
The leaders also urged political leaders, particularly MPs, to support the work of the TSC and avoid what they described as interference with its operations.
“Those coming up with false allegations about the TSC because of their interests should stop because everything is in order at TSC, which has autonomy to run its affairs without any external interference,” Meto said.
Pastor Edward Kibet urged education stakeholders to support Mitei and allow her to focus on strengthening the commission.
The leaders spoke amid claims of political interference in the recruitment of teachers in the country.
Leting said MPs who had been linked to teacher recruitment should allow the TSC to carry out its mandate independently.
The leaders said the commission’s leadership should be allowed to make decisions within its mandate and that any concerns about its operations should be addressed through established oversight and accountability mechanisms.
