Teacher Arrested Over KSh300,000 TSC Jobs Bribe Claims

Three unemployed teachers may have lost money in a scheme built around the promise of public-sector jobs, after the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) arrested a Bungoma teacher accused of demanding KSh300,000 to help them secure employment.

The commission says the suspect allegedly asked each of the three jobseekers for KSh100,000, claiming she had connections within the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) and other government offices.

Investigators believe she had already received KSh150,000 through M-Pesa before her arrest on Monday, October 12.

The case highlights the risks facing jobseekers who may be tempted to pay people claiming they can influence recruitment into government institutions.

According to EACC, the arrest followed preliminary investigations into complaints from the three jobseekers.

“The suspect purported to have connections within TSC and other government offices that would enable her to facilitate the recruitment,” the commission said in a statement.

The suspect, identified in reports by the Kenya Broadcasting Corporation as Lilian Nelima Buluma, teaches at Friends School Kamusinga Boys High School in Bungoma County.

After her arrest, she was processed at EACC’s Western Regional Office and booked at Bungoma Police Station as investigations continued. The commission said she could face charges relating to requesting and receiving a bribe under the Anti-Bribery Act, 2016. The allegations have not been determined in court, and the suspect is entitled to due process.

Why jobseekers should be cautious

The alleged scheme comes as the government continues to announce plans to expand the teaching workforce, raising hopes among unemployed and underemployed teachers.

President William Ruto has said the government intends to recruit an additional 20,000 teachers, taking the number hired since September 2022 to 120,000. He has also announced 34,016 teacher promotion opportunities and an increase in the annual promotion budget to KSh2 billion. Such announcements can increase interest in available positions, but they do not give private individuals the authority to sell access to recruitment.

The TSC has an official recruitment portal where vacancies and application instructions are published. Its recruitment guidance also warns that canvassing can lead to disqualification. Applicants should therefore check vacancies directly with the commission and avoid paying individuals who claim they can secure jobs through personal connections.

Jobseekers who receive suspicious demands for money can report them to EACC or the police. They should also preserve relevant evidence, including mobile-money transaction records, messages and any communication about the alleged offer.

A wider test for public recruitment

The Bungoma case is now a matter for investigators, who will need to establish what happened and whether any offences were committed.

It also raises a broader concern about the vulnerability of people seeking work. When applicants believe a job depends on paying an intermediary rather than meeting published requirements, they risk losing money without any guarantee of employment.

The TSC is responsible for teacher recruitment and management. Claims that someone can guarantee a job through connections should be treated with caution, particularly where money is demanded in advance.

EACC says it remains committed to tackling corruption and protecting integrity in public service. The outcome of the Bungoma investigation will depend on the evidence gathered and any subsequent legal proceedings.

About the Author

Maureen Onyango is a journalist passionate about storytelling, life coaching and spiritual lessons. She studied at the Kenya Institute of Management and enjoys telling stories that inform, inspire and empower communities.