The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) in Kenya has issued a warning about a fake Facebook page that is impersonating its acting chief executive officer, Evaleen Mitei. The page, titled Mrs Evaleem Mitei, has been used to target job seekers with false employment promises. According to TSC, the page is neither managed by Mitei nor linked to the commission in any way. The commission has distanced itself from all statements, information, and communication issued through the account.
The fake Facebook page had about 1,400 followers when it was flagged by TSC. Online users alleged that its operator had been soliciting money from desperate job seekers by making false promises of employment. One user claimed the person behind the account had been asking people for money on the promise that they would be given jobs. TSC has warned the public to disregard and report any interaction originating from the account. This is not the first time the commission has raised the alarm about the page, with the first warning issued on August 22.
The warning issued by TSC points to the persistence of online impersonation schemes that exploit the demand for teaching jobs and promotions. In recent times, TSC has faced a series of misinformation and disinformation campaigns involving fabricated notices, circulars, and social-media posts crafted to appear official. These schemes have been designed to deceive job seekers and school administrators, who often rely on unverified social-media posts for information on employment opportunities.
One of the fake notices circulated on social media on September 8, claiming that schools were required to make financial contributions to support teacher recruitment and promotion interviews. However, TSC rejected the claims and clarified that it does not charge fees for services offered to teachers, including recruitment and promotion processes. The commission also cautioned headteachers of public basic education institutions against participating in, facilitating, or entertaining any requests for payments linked to recruitment or promotion exercises.
Another fake circular dated September 8 and addressed to school heads, as well as regional, county, and sub-county directors of education, suggested that the teacher deployment process had been halted. TSC dismissed the circular as fake and urged the public to rely only on its verified and official communication channels. The commission emphasized that recruitment and promotions remain core functions of TSC and are conducted in a transparent and accountable manner.
The cases underline the risks facing job seekers and school administrators who rely on unverified social-media posts for information on employment opportunities. Fraudsters commonly exploit official-looking logos, names of senior officials, and formal language to make fake notices appear legitimate. To avoid falling victim to these schemes, applicants seeking teaching jobs or promotion information should verify announcements through TSC’s official website and verified social-media channels.
TSC has advised the public to be cautious when interacting with social-media accounts that claim to represent the commission or its leadership. Any account asking for payment in exchange for a job offer should be treated as a red flag and reported to the relevant authorities. By taking these precautions, job seekers and school administrators can protect themselves from falling victim to online impersonation schemes and ensure that they are dealing with official and legitimate sources of information.
Key points
- The Teachers Service Commission has warned the public about a fake Facebook page impersonating its acting CEO, Evaleen Mitei, which has been used to target job seekers with false employment promises.
- The commission has distanced itself from all statements, information, and communication issued through the fake account and has urged the public to disregard and report any interaction originating from the account.
- Job seekers and school administrators are advised to verify announcements through TSC’s official website and verified social-media channels to avoid falling victim to online impersonation schemes.
