The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has named Eveleen Mitei as its Acting CEO following the departure of long-serving Commission Secretary and Chief Executive Officer Dr. Nancy Macharia, who began her terminal leave on June 1 ahead of retirement.
Mitei, currently the Director of Teacher Discipline Management, brings over three decades of experience, having joined TSC in 1994 as a teacher before moving to the Secretariat in 1999. Her appointment places her among five senior officials tipped as possible successors to Dr. Macharia.
With a Master’s in Human Resource Management from the University of Manchester (UK) and a Bachelor of Education from Moi University, Mitei has previously served as Staffing Officer, HR Management and Development Officer, and Discipline Officer.
Dr. Macharia, in her farewell memo to staff, confirmed the transition:
“I am proceeding on terminal leave with effect from today, June 1, 2025… I urge you to accord Ms. Eveleen Mitei the necessary support.”
However, the succession process has been clouded by legal contestation. The Employment and Labour Relations Court in Mombasa has halted the ongoing recruitment of a new CEO following a petition filed by Mombasa resident Thomas Mosomi Oyugi.
In his petition, Oyugi challenges the transparency and constitutionality of the recruitment process. He argues that the vacancy was not properly declared, questions the fairness of the 21-day application window, and claims the education degree requirement under Section 16(2) of the TSC Act may unfairly limit access.
Justice Ocharo Kebira issued interim orders maintaining the status quo until June 9, when the matter will be heard inter partes.
