The High Court has temporarily stopped the ongoing TSC CEO recruitment, extending the term of the acting Secretary/Chief Executive Officer. The injunction pauses appointments while a petition challenges the process and candidate specifications, leaving teachers and stakeholders waiting for a permanent head.
Key Takeaways
- The Kiambu High Court issued a conservatory order halting the TSC CEO recruitment on February 3, 2026.
- Eveleen Mitei will remain Acting CEO while the matter is heard; her acting term has limited duration.
- The petition argues the advertisement was run without a formal vacancy declaration and that requirements under Section 16(2) are restrictive.
- The court scheduled further proceedings and ordered respondents to file responses and written submissions ahead of a March 5, 2026 hearing.
Why the court halted the TSC CEO recruitment
The Kiambu High Court granted an urgent conservatory order after a petitioner from Mombasa argued the Teachers Service Commission published the CEO advert without formally declaring a vacancy. The petition also challenges the legal specifications for applicants under Section 16(2) of the TSC Act, claiming the requirements limit eligibility to education professionals only and exclude other qualified managers.
What this means for teachers and TSC leadership
With the recruitment paused, the acting Secretary/CEO will continue to perform duties. This delays the appointment of a substantive CEO and maintains the status quo for administration, policy direction, and day-to-day management of teacher matters. The CEO post is critical because it oversees more than 400,000 teachers and a large wage bill, and it sets policy on recruitment, deployment and professional development.
Current acting CEO: Eveleen Mitei
Eveleen Mitei has been serving in an acting capacity. Acting appointments have legal time limits; Mitei marked six months in December 2025 and may only serve for a specified further period by law. The court order means she will hold office while the dispute is resolved, but stakeholders should note acting terms are temporary and subject to legal boundaries.
Allegations in the petition
- Recruitment proceeded without a formal vacancy declaration, making the advert invalid according to the petitioner.
- The advertised minimum—degree in education and ten years’ experience in education—was said to be unduly restrictive.
- The petitioner asks the court to interpret Section 16(2) and determine whether those criteria unlawfully exclude qualified candidates from other sectors.
Official duties and advertised qualifications for the Secretary/CEO
According to the advert, the Secretary/CEO is the head of the secretariat and the Accounting Officer. Key responsibilities include executing Commission decisions, supervising staff, coordinating the Commission’s mandate, and ensuring compliance with public ethics.
Minimum advertised qualifications were:
- Kenyan citizenship;
- A degree in education from a recognized university;
- At least ten years’ experience in education, administration and management, public administration, human resource or financial management;
- Compliance with Chapter Six of the Constitution.
Application process summary (as advertised)
- Applications were to be submitted online via the TSC recruitment portal or emailed in PDF format.
- Applicants needed to include certified identity documents, academic and professional certificates, and clearance certificates from specified government bodies.
- The advert set a firm closing date and warned that canvassing or false information would lead to disqualification.
Next steps and court timetable
The court ordered that respondents be formally served and file responses within seven days of the ruling. Parties must exchange written submissions ahead of the inter-partes hearing set for March 5, 2026. The outcome of that hearing will determine whether the recruitment resumes or remains suspended.
What teachers and applicants should do now
- Monitor official TSC announcements for updates on the recruitment timetable and any changes to advertised requirements.
- Prepare and keep application documents ready in case the process resumes; ensure clearances and certificates are up to date.
- Review guidance on leadership roles and public service recruitment to understand eligibility and compliance obligations.
Additional resources for teachers and candidates
For educators working with the CBC and preparing learners or themselves for assessment and classroom duties, browse the CBC exam resources and curriculum materials available on our site. For practice papers and revision support, see the collections for primary and national exams.
- Comprehensive CBC exams and practice resources — useful for classroom preparation and testing readiness.
- KCPE past papers and revision materials — helpful for primary school teachers and candidates.
- CBC curriculum designs and guidance — for teachers planning lessons and schemes of work.
This ruling underscores the importance of clear legal compliance in public service recruitment. Teachers and applicants should stay informed and ensure their documents and clearances remain current so they are ready if the recruitment process resumes.
