Acting TSC CEO Mitei among five shortlisted for top job

NAIROBI, Kenya Nov 3 – Acting Teachers Service Commission (TSC) Chief Executive Officer Evaleen Mitei is among five candidates shortlisted for interviews for the position of substantive secretary and CEO of the teachers’ employer.

Mitei, who hails from Uasin Gishu County, is scheduled to appear before the selection panel at 10am on Monday, November 16, 2026, at the commission’s headquarters in Upper Hill, Nairobi.

She will be the second candidate to face the panel after Cheptumo Ayabei from Baringo County, whose interview is scheduled for 9am.

Robert Odette from Migori County will appear at 11am, followed by Lawrence Kaburu from Tharaka Nithi County at noon. Farah Abdi Saman from Mandera County will be the last candidate, with her interview scheduled for 1pm.

The five were selected from 124 applicants who submitted their applications following a fresh advertisement issued by the commission on September 29, 2026.

The recruitment exercise comes after the High Court nullified an earlier process initiated on May 6, 2025, citing procedural irregularities.

In a ruling delivered on September 17, 2026, a two-judge bench comprising Justices Dorah Chepkwony and Francis Nyungu of the Kiambu High Court directed the commission to restart the recruitment process.

The judges found that the initial advertisement allowed applicants only 13 days to submit their applications, falling short of the minimum 14 days required under the TSC Human Resource Policies and Procedures Manual.

The court also faulted the commission for failing to disclose the proposed remuneration for the position in the advertisement and consequently quashed the entire recruitment process.

However, the judges upheld the constitutionality of Section 16(2)(b) and (c) of the TSC Act, which requires applicants to possess a degree in education and at least 10 years of relevant experience, including five years in senior management.

Under the fresh recruitment exercise, applicants were required to be Kenyan citizens, hold an education degree from a recognised institution in Kenya and meet the integrity requirements under Chapter Six of the Constitution.

They were also required to have at least 10 years of experience in education, administration and management, human resource management or financial management.

The commission has directed the shortlisted candidates to present original copies of their national identity cards, academic and professional certificates, as well as academic transcripts during the interviews.

They must also provide valid clearance certificates from the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA), Higher Education Loans Board (HELB), a registered Credit Reference Bureau and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI).

Candidates who obtained their degrees from foreign universities are required to submit recognition letters from the Commission for University Education (CUE).

Other documents required include printed acknowledgements of online self-declaration applications or self-declaration forms stamped by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), recommendations from relevant professional bodies and associations, where applicable, and other supporting testimonials.

“Candidates should be at the venue at least 30 minutes before the indicated interview time,” the commission said in its notice.

The TSC has also invited members of the public to submit credible information regarding the shortlisted candidates through sworn affidavits addressed to the commission chairperson.

The submissions should be delivered to the TSC headquarters, third floor, or sent through the email address [email protected], by November 13, 2026.

TSC chairperson Jamleck Muturi said the commission may interview members of the public who submit information about the candidates, assuring that such submissions would be treated confidentially.

“Take note that Teachers Service Commission may interview any member of the public who has submitted information on any shortlisted candidates and such information shall be confidential,” Muturi said.