Dozens of teachers have been left outraged after allegedly paying large sums to secure positions at the Teachers Service Commission (TSC), amid accusations of a bribery network within the agency.
According to media reports, the affected teachers are the latest victims of a recruitment cartel operating from TSC headquarters in Nairobi, with county-level officers allegedly acting as intermediaries.
Some of the victims, who are still holding appointment letters despite paying hefty bribes, staged protests last week in Bomet, Nairobi, and Machakos counties, demanding accountability.
They claim they were asked to pay bribes in return for employment, which has yet to materialise. Some said they sold land, took bank loans, or used family savings, but have only received appointment letters that have not led to postings or confirmation.
Investigations indicate that in Bomet County alone, around 20 teachers paid between Sh200,000 and Sh500,000 each without being confirmed.
Sources say county officers reportedly identify desperate applicants and relay them to brokers, while approvals and posting letters remain under the control of TSC headquarters.
“I paid Sh350,000 in cash to an agent linked to a senior TSC official after my parents, small-scale tea farmers, took a bank loan to raise the money. I was issued with an appointment letter, submitted all documents, but I am still waiting for a posting letter months later,” said one of the victims.
Another victim said, “The letters are sold openly. The highest bidder usually gets the job.”
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In response, TSC said it had been made aware of the matter and had transferred two senior officers in Bomet County to allow impartial investigations.
“The commission has constituted an independent investigation committee to conduct impartial investigations and ascertain the veracity of the allegations,” TSC acting CEO Eveleen Mitei said, adding that over 15 people had been interviewed and the report would be finalised within a week.
Education Principal Secretary Julius Bitok confirmed that the matter is also being investigated by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), noting that recruitment is strictly handled by TSC.
“Fraudsters have taken advantage of the recruitment exercise,” he said, warning that anyone found culpable will face prosecution.
Meanwhile, Konoin MP Brighton Yegon said residents in his constituency had lost about Sh20 million, while former Bomet Mayor Kipkemoi Barsumei called for merit-based hiring to be prioritised.
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