TSC Sets November Timeline for New Teacher Recruitment, Rejects Political Hiring Claims

The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) is expected to open another teacher recruitment exercise in November, as the commission moves to reassure jobseekers that employment decisions remain outside political control.

TSC Chairperson Dr Jamleck Muturi said the commission would advertise vacancies and allow qualified teachers to apply and go through the established selection process.

His remarks come weeks after National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula made claims that some Members of Parliament had received batches of teacher appointment letters for distribution to constituents.

The allegations triggered questions over who controls teacher recruitment and whether political influence is being used to determine who gets public teaching jobs.

Muturi rejected that suggestion, saying the commission does not issue appointment letters to politicians.

“We are an independent Commission whereby we don't receive instructions from anybody to employ teachers. We work within the realms of the Constitution,” Muturi said while speaking at St Mary’s Kiangima High School in Embu County during an event ahead of World Teachers’ Day.

He said the recruitment process begins with the advertisement of available positions.

Qualified applicants then submit their applications and undergo interviews before successful candidates are appointed.

“We normally advertise positions and those interested apply and go for interviews, and politicians give out no employment letters,” Muturi said.

November recruitment

Muturi said the next recruitment exercise is expected to begin in November.

However, the commission has not yet published an official November 2026 vacancy notice setting out the number and distribution of positions.

TSC’s online recruitment records show that the commission has continued to advertise and process teacher vacancies during 2026. Its latest published adverts include thousands of posts for different teaching and administrative grades.

The commission’s official recruitment information also carries a warning that recruitment is free of charge. TSC has previously cautioned applicants against people who demand money while claiming they can secure employment.

This is particularly significant following the allegations raised by Wetang’ula.

What Wetang’ula alleged

In August, Wetang’ula said some MPs had allegedly received TSC appointment letters after meetings at State House.

He claimed that some legislators were then selling the letters to desperate jobseekers, with alleged payments reaching as high as KSh400,000.

The Speaker did not identify the MPs he was referring to or provide publicly available documentary evidence supporting the allegations.

His comments nevertheless prompted demands for greater scrutiny of teacher recruitment.

The Kenya Human Rights Commission-backed Elimu Bora Working Group later called for an independent investigation into the allegations, saying claims of political involvement in teacher hiring raised questions about transparency and accountability.

Some politicians also disputed parts of the allegations. Nyandarua Woman Representative Faith Gitau, for example, acknowledged having helped people obtain teaching jobs but denied asking beneficiaries for money. She also challenged Wetang’ula to substantiate claims that she had received letters through him.

What the law says

The Constitution gives TSC responsibility for registering trained teachers and recruiting and employing registered teachers.

Article 237 also gives the commission responsibility for reviewing the demand and supply of teachers.

Kenya’s legal framework further sets out recruitment and employment of registered teachers as functions of the commission.

The commission has therefore maintained that appointment letters issued through politicians would not form part of its official recruitment process.

In a separate statement issued in August, TSC dismissed claims that President William Ruto issues teacher employment letters to MPs, describing the assertion as “not true and misleading”.

Jobseekers urged to use official channels

For thousands of unemployed teachers, the dispute has highlighted the need to verify recruitment information before paying anyone claiming to have access to TSC jobs.

TSC says recruitment is conducted through its established application and selection procedures.

Applicants should therefore rely on official TSC advertisements and recruitment platforms rather than politicians, brokers or individuals promising appointment letters in exchange for money.

The commission has yet to publish the detailed November 2026 advertisement, including the number of vacancies and their distribution.

Until those details are released, applicants should treat unofficial vacancy lists and messages circulating online with caution.

The November exercise will also provide a fresh test of TSC’s assurance that teacher recruitment is being handled through a formal process rather than political allocation.

For jobseekers, the message from the commission is straightforward: wait for the official advertisement, apply through the prescribed channel and do not pay anyone for a TSC job.

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.