The Kenya Union of Special Needs Education Teachers (KUSNET) has asked the Kenya Law Society of Kenya to keep off teachers’ affairs after the society opposed the reappointment of Teachers Service Commissioner Nancy Macharia.
President Uhuru Kenyatta on Friday last week extended the term of Teachers Service Commission (TSC) Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Nancy Macharia after her first term expired last month.
The Law Society of Kenya through its president, Nelson Havi protested the renewal of another five-year term terming it unconstitutional and insisted that Ms. Macharia should be vetted a fresh.
However, the KUSNET National Secretary, James Torome said the Law Society of Kenya has no stake in education matters asking them to avoid interfering with education matters that do not concern them.
“The Attorney General of Kenya, Paul Kariuki is the one responsible for advising the president. I wonder why the law society is so quick on advising the president yet we have an active attorney General,” said Torome.
Torome who spoke in Narok town on Monday said it was the duty of President Kenyatta to either appoint another person to occupy the seat or renew the term of Ms. Macharia.
“We congratulate Ms. Macharia for her renewed term in office and we look forward to a cordial working relationship,” said Torome.
The KUSNET Chairman, Amos Mungai Karanja wondered why matters affecting teachers was everyone’s business yet they as teachers have never interfered with anyone’s business.
“We want teachers to be respected because they play a critical job in society. Everyone knows that Ms. Macharia has stood with the teachers and pushed for their promotions and appointments. She has done a wonderful job for teachers and we will not mind if her term was extended,” reiterated Karanja.
Ms. Macharia’s term of office in her first term was characterized by strong-arm tactics especially from Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) and at one point forced the KNUT Secretary General, Wilson Sossion to be de-registered as a teacher.
The tough talking CEO term also characterised confrontation with teachers’ unions and formulation of tough policies aimed at streamlining the teaching profession.
By Ann Salaton
