TSC warns of fake 20K teacher recruitment scam
By Kenneth Mwenda, November 18, 2025The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has warned the public against a fake recruitment drive claiming to offer 20,000 teacher positions on permanent and pensionable terms.
The alert came on Tuesday, November 18, as the false advert circulated widely on social media.
The commission clarified that all official recruitment information is released only through its official website.
“Beware of fake news and misinformation. All available vacancies are always declared through our website,” TSC stated.
The bogus advert targeted Junior Secondary School (JSS) teachers and listed qualifications that appeared legitimate, including a minimum of a diploma in education and registration with TSC. To make the posting more convincing, it stated that no payment would be required to secure employment.
The source of the fake advert remains unknown, but its timing coincides with unrest among intern teachers seeking permanent contracts. President William Ruto last week announced that 20,000 more teachers would be hired before next year, creating fertile ground for scams.
JSS interns demand clarity
Sections of JSS interns have been protesting recent government directives. On November 15, teachers took to the streets to reject the President’s plan to offer permanent contracts only after two years of service.
Interns argue that their signed contracts clearly stated confirmation after 12 months, and they accuse TSC of moving goalposts and violating promotion guidelines.
The interns, backed by the Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET), demanded immediate confirmation to permanent and pensionable terms. Currently, they earn about Ksh17,000 monthly and say delays have worsened their working conditions.
JSS teachers also want full autonomy. They argue that being administratively placed under primary schools has caused confusion in co-curricular duties and school management. KUPPET officials, including Tharaka Nithi Secretary Patrick Gitonga, have criticised the under-representation of JSS teachers and called for clearer guidelines.
The timing of the fake advert may have been opportunistic. With unrest already high, some intern teachers threatened to down their tools, citing contradictions in their contracts and the government’s announcements.