Teachers will have to wait longer for a new boss after the recruitment of Teachers Service Commission (TSC) Chief Executive Officer suffered another setback following a High Court injuction days after the process had been cleared to proceed.
On February 3, the Kiambu High Court halted the ongoing recruitment exercise restraining TSC from implementing or continuing the process pending the hearing of a fresh application filed by Samuel Kariuki Kimata.
The ruling further delays the appointment of a substantive CEO, a position that has remained vacant for eight months following Nancy Macharia’s exit in June last year.
Justice Dorah Chepkwony certified the application as urgent and issued conservatory orders barring the Commission from proceeding with the recruitment of the Secretary/CEO until the matter is heard and determined.
“That a conservatory order be and is hereby issued staying, suspending and restraining the 1st Respondent from implementing or continuing with the ongoing recruitment exercise of the Secretary/Chief Executive Officer of the 1st Respondent pending the inter-partes hearing of the application,” the order reads.
Click here to download the application form for position of TSC Chief Executive/Secretary
The Judge further directed that the respondents be formally served and respond within seven days, with written submissions exchanged ahead of a hearing scheduled for March 5, 2026.
The ruling deals a blow to efforts to appoint the 10th CEO in TSC’s history. The current acting CEO Eveleen Mitei will continue to hold office.
The exercise had resumed last week on Thursday after the lifting of a previous injunction that had frozen the process since May last year.
The CEO position is among the most powerful in the public service, overseeing more than 400,000 teachers, managing a wage bill running into billions of shillings and shaping policies on teacher recruitment, deployment, discipline and professional development.
Several high profile names have been linked to the race, including former KNUT Secretary General Wilson Sossion, former Basic Education Principal Secretary Julius Jwan and senior TSC insiders such as Director of Staffing Antonina Lentoijoni, Finance Director Cheptumo Ayabei, Director of Quality Assurance and Standards Dr Reuben Nthamburi and Head of Operations Gabriel Mathenge.
Click here to download the application form for position of TSC Chief Executive/Secretary
Currently, Eveleen Mitei serves Acting CEO, having marked six months in office in December, 2025.
Her acting term legally allows only another six months, leaving just five months before her tenure lapses.
But the Mombasa based petitioner quickly moved to stop the recruitment process, arguing that proceeding with a job advertisement without a formal vacancy declaration meant TSC was recruiting for a non-existent position.
The petition challenged Section 16(2), which outlines the specifications for any candidate applying for the position of CEO.
While the TSC advertisement called on candidates to possess a degree and 10 years of experience in education, the petitioner argued that these requirements were thoroughly restrictive and excluded qualified professionals from other sectors.
Click here to download the application form for position of TSC Chief Executive/Secretary
Below are key duties and responsibilities of the TSC CEO/Secretary with the qualifications requirements as was listed in the advert released by TSC.
Key Duties and Responsibilities
Under the guidance of the Commission, the Secretary will be: –
- The head of the secretariat;
- The Accounting Officer of the Commission;
- The custodian of all records of the Commission; and
- Responsible for-
- Executing decisions of the Commission;
- Assigning duties to and supervising the staff of the Commission;
- Facilitating, coordinating and ensuring the execution of the Commission’s mandate;
- Ensuring staff compliance with public ethics and values;
- The proper and diligent implementation of Part IV of the Act; and
- The performance of such other duties as may be assigned by the Commission under the Act or any other written law.
Minimum Qualifications and Experience
Pursuant to Section 16 (2) of the TSC Act, Cap 212, a person is qualified for appointment as Secretary/Chief Executive Officer of the Commission if such person—
- Is a citizen of Kenya;
- Holds a degree in education from a university recognized in Kenya;
- Has had at least ten years’ experience in education, administration and management, public administration, human resource or financial management; and
- Meets the requirements of Chapter Six of the Constitution.
Duration of Service
The Secretary shall hold office for a term of five years but shall be eligible for re-appointment for one further term of five years.
Compensation and Benefits
Compensation and Benefits for this position will be in accordance with the Guidelines issued by the Salaries and Remuneration Commission.
Application Process
- Interested candidates should download the Application Form from the TSC website (www.tsc.go.ke), fill and submit together with a detailed curriculum vitae, certified copies of National Identity Card or Passport, relevant academic and professional certificates and testimonials.
- The Application Form is also accessible electronically in the application portal at www.tsc.go.ke for online applicants.
- Applications and supporting documents may be: –
- Submitted online through the application portal using the link https://recruitment.tsc.go.ke
- Submitted in a PDF file format attachment by emailing to chairperson2025@tsc.go.ke
- Hand-delivered during official working hours in a sealed envelope clearly marked at the right top “Application for the post of Secretary/ Chief Executive Officer’’ at the office of the Commission Chairman, Teachers Service Commission, TSC House, 3rd Floor, Tower Wing, Kilimanjaro Road, Upper Hill, Nairobi.
- Applications must be received on or before Tuesday, 27th May, 2025 at 5:00 p.m. (East African Time).
- Applicants are required to submit together with the application, copies of clearance Certificates from the following bodies: –
- Kenya Revenue Authority;
- Higher Education Loans Board;
- Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission;
- Directorate of Criminal Investigations and
- A recognized Credit Reference Bureau.
Important Notices
- The names of all applicants and the interview schedule of those shortlisted shall be published in the print media and the Commission’s website at www.tsc.go.ke after the closure of this advertisement and shortlisting process.
- Applicants to take note that it is an offence to provide false information to the Commission. Documents provided shall be verified with the relevant bodies to ascertain their authenticity.
- Only shortlisted candidates shall be contacted for interview.
- Canvassing in any form will lead to automatic disqualification.
- The Teachers Service Commission is an equal opportunity employer.