KNUT Claims Teachers Are Paying Over 200K To Get TSC Employment Letters

The Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) has expressed strong concerns over the recent teacher recruitment process, citing serious irregularities and alleged corruption.

Speaking on the matter, KNUT Secretary General Collins Oyuu criticized the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) for what he described as a flawed and politically influenced hiring process. He said that while the union cannot fault newly employed teachers, it must speak out on the manner in which some of these appointments were made.

“It is shocking to see employment forms being distributed at burial ceremonies and chief barazas, used as political tools for mileage. Who is authorized to say they’ve employed teachers? That mandate belongs to the Teachers Service Commission—not politicians,” Oyuu stated.

He condemned the apparent favoritism in the recruitment process, where recent graduates from 2023 and 2024 were reportedly prioritized over those who completed college as early as 2011. “This is deeply demoralizing for many qualified but long-waiting teachers. The profession deserves respect and dignity,” he added.

Oyuu further alleged that employment forms were being sold for as much as Ksh 200,000 by some individuals linked to political circles. “If someone must pay such an amount just to secure a job, where is the fairness? This is corruption in its most inhuman form, and we have evidence to support these claims,” he emphasized.

Calling the situation “shameful and unacceptable,” Oyuu urged the TSC to take responsibility and ensure transparency and integrity in all future recruitment processes. “We shall not condone this. We will continue to expose those involved. Let us uphold humanity and dignity in the teaching profession,” he concluded.