Desperate teachers were forced to part with as much as Sh700,000, more than many would earn in a full year, just to receive a forged letter of appointment.
Trained teachers seeking employment with the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) have lost a staggering Sh46 million to a cartel hawking fake appointment letters purported to be official documents from the commission, a court was told last Friday, January 9.
The price of a "job"
Hundreds of job seekers reportedly paid between Sh400,000 and Sh700,000 each to the cartel, which has tentacles across several counties.
The scam has ensnared teachers and senior commission employees, some of whom are now under investigation.
Four suspects, including a TSC Sub-County Director, have been arrested by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) in an ongoing probe into the scandal that has shocked stakeholders in the education sector.
The DCI revealed that the cartel selling forged TSC appointment letters has been operating in Bomet, Kericho, Kisii, Narok and Nyamira counties.
Investigators told a Bomet court that more suspects are being pursued, with a growing number of complainants coming forward to record statements.
Those arrested include Konoin Sub-County TSC Director David Kipngeno Kemei; Rosebellah Chepkemoi Korir, said to be a former aspirant for the Bomet Woman Representative position; and two teachers, Siele Leonard Towett and Mercy Cherotich. The four were arraigned in court in connection with the scandal that came to light on December 29, 2025.
On Friday, Bomet Chief Magistrate Mbethi Michuki ordered that the suspects be held in custody for 14 days to allow the DCI to complete investigations.
The matter is scheduled for mention and further directions on January 26.
The court declined to grant the suspects bond ahead of plea-taking after the Director of Public Prosecutions opposed the application, arguing that the suspects were likely to interfere with investigations and intimidate complainants.
The magistrate agreed with the prosecution that the case was of high public interest, noting that unsuspecting job seekers had been defrauded in a scheme believed to have been running for several years.
“Each of the applicants for the non-existent jobs parted with between Sh400,000 and Sh700,000, with TSC officers allegedly supervising the extortion that netted over Sh46 million,” the prosecution stated in court documents seen by the Nation.
Investigators revealed that the bribe money was received in cash, through M-Pesa transactions and bank deposits, all of which are being scrutinised to establish a financial trail.
The court allowed the DCI to seize mobile phones and electronic gadgets belonging to the suspects, as well as obtain M-Pesa and bank statements to aid investigations.
Defence lawyer Korir Kenduiywa argued that detaining the suspects violated their constitutional rights, noting that they had not been formally charged and that investigations should have been concluded before their arrest.
He also said some suspects were diabetic and hypertensive and required medical attention.
The magistrate directed that they be accorded appropriate medical care while in custody.
Detectives have urged members of the public who may have been defrauded by the suspects or other individuals linked to the cartel to report to the police and record statements.
In a statement on Friday, the DCI cautioned the public to remain vigilant and verify recruitment documents through official TSC channels, reiterating that the commission does not charge any fees for employment.
“Members of the public who may have fallen victim to this scheme and are yet to report are urged to come forward individually or report at the nearest police station,” the statement read.
As a result of the scandal, two senior TSC officers — Bomet County Director Dr William Yator and Konoin Sub-County Director David Kemei — have been transferred to Siaya and Migori counties, respectively.
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