By Joel Esabu
A new race to lead the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has begun after the commission reopened applications for the powerful position of Secretary and Chief Executive Officer.
In an advertisement dated September 29, 2026, TSC invited qualified Kenyan citizens to submit applications for the post by Friday, October 30, 2026, at 5:00pm East African Time.
The re-advertisement comes days after the High Court directed the commission to restart the recruitment process, finding that the earlier exercise fell short of TSC’s own Human Resource Policies and Procedures Manual.
Court faulted 13-day application period
Justice Francis Nyungu ruled that the previous vacancy notice, published on May 6, 2025, gave prospective applicants only 13 days to apply before the May 19 deadline.
TSC policy requires a vacancy to remain open for a minimum of 14 days.
“I find, as a fact, that the advertised application window was 13 days. Neither the 14-day minimum nor the requirement to disclose proposed remuneration was observed,” Justice Nyungu ruled.
The judge said TSC had not adequately justified shortening the application period, noting that the decision could have limited the chance for qualified Kenyans, including serving teachers, to apply for the top job.
The case arose from a petition filed by Simon Kariu Kimaita, who challenged the recruitment process and qualifications for the post.
Although the court ordered a fresh recruitment exercise, it upheld the requirement that the TSC Secretary/CEO must hold a degree in education and have at least 10 years of relevant experience. Claims that the process lacked gazettement, was biased or discriminated against younger applicants were dismissed for lack of adequate evidence.
Justice Nyungu ordered TSC to re-advertise the vacancy without undue delay and to conduct the fresh recruitment in accordance with the Constitution, the law and its internal procedures.
Role and qualifications
The successful applicant will head the TSC Secretariat and serve as the commission’s Chief Executive Officer and Accounting Officer.
The office holder will oversee the implementation of the commission’s policies, decisions and constitutional mandate.
Applicants must:
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Be Kenyan citizens.
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Hold a degree in education from a recognised university.
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Have at least 10 years’ experience in education, administration, management, public administration, human-resource management or financial management.
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Meet the leadership and integrity standards under Chapter Six of the Constitution.
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Submit the stipulated academic, professional and clearance documents.
The successful candidate will serve for five years, with the term renewable once.
Salary and benefits
The job carries a gross monthly salary of Sh698,600, a monthly airtime allowance of Sh15,000 and an annual leave allowance of Sh50,000.
The successful candidate will also receive an official vehicle with an engine capacity of up to 3,000cc and security as advised by the Inspector General of Police.
The benefits package includes:
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Medical cover for the office holder, one spouse and up to four fully dependent children under 25.
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Inpatient cover of Sh10 million.
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Outpatient cover of Sh300,000.
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Maternity cover of Sh150,000.
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Dental and optical cover of Sh75,000 each.
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Gratuity at 31 per cent of annual pensionable emoluments for the duration served.
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Group life and group personal accident insurance, each worth three times annual pensionable emoluments.
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A car loan of up to Sh6 million and a mortgage of up to Sh30 million.
TSC said the loans will attract interest of 3 per cent per year. The mortgage may run for up to 20 years, while the car loan repayment period may not exceed five years. Both facilities will be managed centrally by the National Treasury, subject to regulations and the availability of funds.
The Secretary/CEO will also qualify for daily subsistence allowances for local and foreign travel at rates determined by the Salaries and Remuneration Commission.
Application process
Applicants should download and complete the form available on the TSC website or access it through the online recruitment portal.
They must submit the application form with a detailed curriculum vitae, certified copies of identification documents, academic and professional certificates, testimonials and the required clearance certificates.
The required clearances are from the Kenya Revenue Authority, Higher Education Loans Board, Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission, Directorate of Criminal Investigations and a recognised Credit Reference Bureau.
Applications can be submitted through the online recruitment portal, sent as PDF documents to chairperson2026@tsc.go.ke, or delivered by hand during official working hours.
Physical applications must be sealed and clearly marked “Application for the Post of Secretary/Chief Executive Officer” before being delivered to the Office of the Commission Chairman at TSC House, Third Floor, Tower Wing, Kilimanjaro Road, Upper Hill, Nairobi.
TSC said it will publish the names of all applicants and the interview schedule for shortlisted candidates in print media and on its website after the deadline and completion of the shortlisting process.
The commission warned that false information is an offence and said all submitted documents will be verified with the relevant institutions. Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted, while canvassing will result in automatic disqualification.