Dreams for Sale: The Cruel TSC Job Scam That Broke Mary Chebet
Kabarnet, Baringo County – On a chilly morning in the highlands of Kabarnet, Mary Chebet clutched her battered phone, reading a message that promised a future she had long prayed for.
“Congratulations! Your TSC appointment letter is ready. Send Ksh 50,000 to this number to secure your slot.”
A trained teacher and mother of two, Mary had waited years for such a message. Unemployed and desperate, she believed it was her breakthrough — a job with the Teachers Service Commission (TSC). The sender claimed to be an official, and in a country where many are hired quietly behind the scenes, Mary felt her chance had finally come.
But she didn’t have the money.
To raise the Ksh 50,000, Mary sold the last of her late mother’s livestock — a goat that had sentimental value — and borrowed the rest from a neighbor. With hope in her heart and tears in her eyes, she sent the money through M-Pesa.
And waited.
Days passed. Weeks dragged on. The phone number went silent.
It wasn’t just her. Dozens of hopeful graduates in Baringo and neighboring Kericho counties had received the same message. All of them sent money. None received the promised letters.
In Kericho, the masterminds of the scam — two middle-aged men posing as TSC insiders — were celebrating their loot in a local hotel. Their bank accounts bulged, and their victims were too ashamed or afraid to report the fraud.
“These teachers are too trusting,” one reportedly laughed, as he counted his share.
Back in Kabarnet, Mary sat in an empty house. Her children had gone to school on borrowed lunch. Her dreams — and the little she owned — had been stolen.
TSC Denies Involvement
When contacted, the Teachers Service Commission distanced itself from the scam, warning Kenyans to beware of fake recruitment messages.
“TSC does not charge any fees for appointment letters. All official communication is made through our verified platforms,” a spokesperson stated.
Police have launched investigations, but so far, no arrests have been made.
A Call for Justice
Mary’s story is one among many. As unemployment pushes graduates to desperation, scammers continue to prey on their hopes. Activists and teachers’ unions are now calling on the government to not only investigate but also establish support systems for victims.
“We can’t let this continue. These conmen are destroying lives,” said a local union official.
