The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) of Kenya has announced that five candidates have been shortlisted for the position of Secretary and Chief Executive Officer. This follows a recruitment exercise that attracted 124 applications. The shortlisted candidates include the acting CEO, Evaleen Mitei, who will proceed to the interview stage along with four other individuals selected from across the country.
The recruitment process was initiated to fill the vacancy left by former CEO Nancy Macharia, who officially left office in June 2025. The TSC had to restart the process after a High Court ruling nullified a previous hiring attempt due to procedural irregularities. The court determined that the initial advertisement did not provide applicants with the mandatory 14-day minimum requirement to apply.
The shortlisted candidates, apart from Evaleen Mitei, are Farah Abdi Saman from Mandera County, Cheptumo Ayabei from Baringo County, Robert Odette from Migori County, and Lawrence Kaburu, currently serving as the Director of Health Revenue for Tharaka-Nithi County. The interviews are scheduled for Monday, November 16, 2026, at the TSC headquarters in Upper Hill, Nairobi.
The interview schedule has been set with specific times for each candidate: Cheptumo Ayabei at 9:00 AM, Evaleen Mitei at 10:00 AM, Robert Odette at 11:00 AM, Lawrence Kaburu at 12:00 PM, and Farah Abdi Saman at 1:00 PM. Candidates have been instructed to bring their original identification and academic documents, alongside mandatory clearance certificates.
The commission has invited members of the public to present any credible information regarding the shortlisted candidates. Submissions must be made via sworn affidavits delivered directly to the TSC headquarters or through email by Friday, November 13. The successful candidate will serve a five-year term, with the option for a single additional five-year renewal.
The position of TSC CEO comes with an attractive compensation package, featuring a gross monthly salary of Sh698,600, a mortgage facility of up to Sh30 million, a monthly airtime allowance of Sh15,000, and an annual leave allowance of Sh50,000. The officeholder will oversee the commission’s secretariat, manage its staff, and execute its constitutional mandate.
Prospective candidates were required to hold a degree in education and boast at least 10 years of relevant professional experience, including a minimum of five years in senior management. As the interview date approaches, attention remains locked on the TSC headquarters in Upper Hill to see who will permanently take the helm of Kenya's teachers' employer.
Key points
- The Teachers Service Commission received 124 applications for the CEO position.
- The interview for the shortlisted candidates is scheduled for November 16, 2026.
- The successful candidate will serve a five-year term with an option for renewal.
