Revelations of massive salary overpayments within Kenya’s Teachers Service Commission (TSC) which is under Nancy Macharia” warch have raised public concern.
In a recent report, Auditor General Nancy Gathungu highlighted troubling figures, revealing that Kshs. 358.8 million in overpayments remain outstanding.
Despite attempts to recover these funds, the pace of collection has been slow, prompting questions regarding TSC’s handling of public resources.
Three individuals have come on the spot. Ms. Rose Towet from Kericho received an excess payment of Sh 4.4 million from August 2016 to December 2020. Mr. Ombeng Okello was similarly overpaid Sh 4.3 million between September 2017 and January 2022, while Mr. John Sankalle Maina received Sh 3.7 million overpaid between January 2011 and November 2012.
These cases, though prominent, represent only a fraction of the larger issue, with 80% of overpayments unresolved after more than a year.
The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has raised concerns over the sluggish recovery process, questioning why TSC has not made progress.
PAC members argue that since the funds in question are public, TSC should prioritize their prompt recovery.
Their concerns are compounded by a larger systemic issue within TSC, where inefficiencies in manual and outdated reporting systems have allowed overpayments to go undetected and unresolved over the years.
TSC CEO Nancy Macharia defended the pace of recovery, citing the limitations imposed by the Employment Act of 2007.
According to her, TSC can only recover a maximum of one-third of a teacher’s basic salary, thus prolonging the reimbursement timeline.
For teachers who have left TSC, the commission has established additional recovery mechanisms.
These include sending demand letters, coordinating with cooperative societies to release SACCO savings, contacting current employers of ex-TSC staff, and working with Kenyan embassies for those living abroad.
Despite these steps, the process is often slow, taking longer than a year to yield results.Macharia noted that recovering government liabilities from retired teachers also relies on National Treasury intervention, which can delay the process further.
Although TSC claims that some improvements have been made, with over Kshs. 108 million recovered last year, the ongoing accumulation of unrecovered funds raises questions about TSC’s overall effectiveness in managing these debts.
The issue has drawn attention to CEO Nancy Macharia’s leadership.
Allegations of corruption and inefficiency have dogged her tenure, though her influence and potential political backing have often shielded her from full accountability.
Recently, a petition by human rights defender Francis Awino filed in Nairobi’s High Court called for the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) to investigate Macharia’s conduct.
Awino’s petition accuses her of violating Chapter 6 of Kenya’s Constitution, which outlines the principles of leadership and integrity.
If EACC pursues the matter, it could bring new details to TSC’s administrative practices and Macharia’s role in them.
Awino’s petition highlights that such large-scale financial irregularities signify more than just accounting errors they suggest systemic issues that may be deeply rooted in mismanagement.
The Auditor General’s report adds to the chorus of voices demanding reform, noting that TSC’s outdated manual systems and inefficiencies in salary reporting have exacerbated the problem.
In an era where government agencies are increasingly adopting digital solutions to ensure transparency and accountability, TSC’s reliance on obsolete systems raises concerns about the commission’s commitment to modern governance standards.
The revelations have also fueled public debate on the effectiveness of Kenya’s anti-corruption agencies in handling cases of financial misconduct.
The slow progress in recovering funds has stirred criticism, with many Kenyans questioning why public servants who knowingly receive overpayments are not held to stricter standards.
The public’s frustration is echoed in the PAC’s concerns, as members argue that the funds in question could otherwise support critical sectors such as health and education, particularly in a country where budget constraints often hinder service delivery.In response to these allegations, TSC’s recent efforts to enhance accountability appear insufficient.
