As the Teachers Service Commission (Amendment) Bill 2024 moves through the final stages of parliamentary scrutiny in February 2026, a high-stakes clause has emerged targeting corruption and the mismanagement of school resources. The proposed law introduces mandatory Lifestyle Audits for all institutional administrators, including Principals, Headteachers, and Deputy Principals.
This move marks a significant escalation in the war against “tenderpreneurship” in schools, ensuring that those entrusted with billions of shillings in government capitation and parental fees live within their known income.
While teachers have long been required to submit bi-annual wealth declarations, the new Bill takes this a step further by granting the TSC investigative powers to conduct “spot audits” whenever there is a suspicion of unexplained wealth.
Under the 2024 regulations, if a school head’s lifestyle—manifested through high-end vehicles, vast real estate acquisitions, or frequent overseas travel—appears inconsistent with their statutory salary and allowances, the Commission can launch a formal probe.
The burden of proof will shift to the administrator to demonstrate that their assets were acquired through “lawfully obtained income.”
Eliminating “Hidden” Commissions and Kickbacks
The TSC argues that many school heads have become informal “procurement officers,” often receiving kickbacks from suppliers of school uniforms, food, and construction materials. The Bill explicitly targets these “hidden commissions.” By partnering with the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), the TSC intends to trace financial flows that bypass school bank accounts.
An administrator found guilty of benefiting from school tenders or inflating prices for personal gain will face immediate interdiction and potential permanent removal from the teaching register.
Transparency in the Digital Era
To facilitate these audits, the TSC is upgrading its Online Wealth Declaration Portal. The new system will be integrated with the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) and the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) to provide real-time data on the assets held by senior educators.
This digital integration means that “hiding” wealth under the names of spouses or children will become significantly harder. The Bill also mandates that the audit reports for high-ranking administrators be submitted to the National Assembly’s Education Committee annually to ensure oversight.
A Deterrent Against Administrative Greed
Critics, including some teachers’ unions, have questioned whether these audits will be used for political victimization. However, lawmakers have defended the clause, stating that “public office is a public trust.”
The goal of Article 15 is to create a powerful deterrent against the “casual” corruption that often siphons funds away from essential learning materials and infrastructure. For the Kenyan taxpayer and parent, this clause represents a promise that the money meant for a child’s education will no longer be diverted into the private pockets of their school’s management.
