Revealed: How government dishes out jobs

DCP deputy party leader Cleophas Malalah. [Edward Kiplimo, Standard]

Weeks after National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula triggered controversy by claiming MPs distributed Teachers Service Commission (TSC) employment letters, Democracy for the Citizens Party deputy leader Cleophas Malalah has made fresh claims about how government jobs were allocated.

Speaking in Kakamega on Saturday, Malalah cited his tenure as UDA Secretary General (February 2023 to August 2024), saying, “I was in office for a year and three months before I was removed; I used to pick letters of teachers’ appointments, letters for recruitment to the army, KRA appointments, Immigration, all of them to bring them here.”

Malalah claimed he helped secure jobs for hundreds of people, saying he helped hire 306 teachers within a year.

He further alleged that political actors interfered with recruitment systems to give their preferred candidates an advantage. He claimed system disruptions at KRA were sometimes deliberately engineered until their preferred applicants had secured opportunities.

Malalah said leaders from Western were summoned to receive appointment letters. Among those present was Matisi MCA and Trans Nzoia Deputy Speaker Obed Mwale, whom Malalah claimed received two appointment letters. Mwale nodded in agreement.

The remarks have renewed questions about the integrity of public-sector recruitment, coming days after Wetang’ula said he used to take MPs to State House to obtain TSC appointment letters. Several ODM members, including Ruaraka’s TJ Kajwang’ and Seme’s James Nyikal, have denied the claims.

Malalah’s assertion military recruitment letters were also distributed raises particular concerns, given the forces’ responsibility for a rigorous and merit-based process.

The claims also cast fresh attention on the 100,000 teachers recruited under Kenya Kwanza administration and whether recruitment was on merit.

Concerns over ethnic considerations have further fuelled the debate. Malalah said he distributed opportunities exclusively in his region, while Kimilili MP Didmus Barasa recently urged senior officials from the region to favour their own communities in recruitment.

Former President Uhuru Kenyatta criticised such sentiments, asking whether officials were appointed to serve Kenyans or because of their tribes.