The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has permanently deregistered 69 teachers found guilty of sexually abusing learners and other forms of misconduct, after handling more than 100 disciplinary cases reported since the beginning of 2024.
Appearing before the Senate Education Committee in Mombasa, TSC Director of Legal, Labour and Industrial Relations Cavin Anyuor revealed that the commission had investigated 111 complaints ranging from sexual relations with learners, molestation, pornography, and other inappropriate acts.
“Of the 111 cases, 69 teachers were dismissed and deregistered, meaning they can never teach anywhere in the world. Their teaching licences have been permanently revoked,” Anyuor told senators.
He explained that nine other teachers were dismissed but retained on the register, while 25 were suspended and could return to work after completing their suspension period. One intern was also struck off the register.
“Not all are guilty; at least four were cleared and walked scot-free. We attempt to be fair but remain firm on learner abuse,” he added, noting that four cases were dropped after acquittal while three were closed following the death of the accused teachers before hearings concluded.
To tighten accountability, Anyuor said the commission has enhanced its reporting systems, including a toll-free line and email platform to allow confidential complaints. TSC has also rolled out an Integrity Policy to safeguard whistleblowers. Circular No. 3 of 2010 obligates all reports of learner abuse to be filed within 24 hours.
Over the past five years, 470 teachers have been deregistered, with 419 of them being male and only five female. The gender of the remaining 46 was not recorded. In the latest batch of 33 teachers struck off the register, 32 were men, reflecting a worrying trend of predatory conduct by male teachers in schools.
Section 30 of the Teachers Service Commission Act, 2012, gives the Commission authority to publish the names, registration details, and dates of deregistration of teachers, ensuring the public is aware of those permanently barred from teaching.
TSC can remove teachers from the register for offences including immoral behaviour, criminal convictions, fraud, and professional misconduct. However, sexual abuse of learners, particularly by male teachers, has emerged as the leading cause in recent years. The trend gained national attention after the widely publicised Alliance Girls High School case, where a male teacher was accused of grooming and sexually exploiting students over a long period.
