The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) in Kenya has announced plans to launch a second mass teacher recruitment exercise this year. The exercise, set to begin in November, aims to fill various teaching positions across the country. TSC Chairperson Dr. Jamleck Muturi made the announcement at St. Mary’s Kiangima High School in Embu County during a build-up event ahead of World Teachers’ Day.
This will be the second major recruitment effort by the TSC this year, following a massive drive in mid-2026 that advertised over 54,000 positions. The earlier drive targeted both career progression and fresh staffing needs, including 34,016 Leadership and Promotion Posts and 20,000 Post-Primary CBC Vacancies. The TSC has assured the public that the recruitment process will be transparent and merit-based.
The announcement comes amidst controversies surrounding the integrity of TSC recruitment processes. Earlier this year, allegations arose that appointment letters were being distributed through political figures rather than through official commission structures. The TSC leadership has defended the commission’s mandate and constitutional autonomy, explaining that all vacancies undergo a standard, transparent protocol.
The TSC has emphasized that the recruitment process is guided by the Constitution of Kenya 2010 and other legal instruments. The commission has urged the public to visit recruitment centers to observe interview proceedings directly. The Parliamentary Education Committee has also scrutinized teacher staffing and distribution, pressing the TSC to guarantee fairness and eliminate rent-seeking behaviors.
The Executive branch under President William Ruto has prioritized teacher employment, reiterating its commitment to bridging the acute shortage of teachers required for the smooth transition of the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) framework. According to government figures, over 100,000 educators have been absorbed into the public teaching workforce over the past three years.
The planned November drive aims to address the ongoing teacher shortage and support the implementation of the CBC in Junior Secondary Schools (JSS). The TSC has assured that the recruitment process will be transparent and merit-based, with online-only submissions required to streamline the process and reduce manual interference.
The TSC has reaffirmed its independence in the recruitment process, stating that it does not receive instructions from anybody to employ teachers. The commission operates within the realms of the Constitution, and its chairperson has emphasized that the recruitment process will be fair and equitable.
Key points
- The TSC will launch a second mass teacher recruitment exercise in November 2026.
- The exercise aims to fill various teaching positions, including Leadership and Promotion Posts and Post-Primary CBC Vacancies.
- The TSC has assured the public that the recruitment process will be transparent and merit-based.
