A video shared on Facebook by Koech Omondi has raised serious claims involving former Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu and a struggling family.
In the clip, a widow says she was convinced to give money after being promised that her son would get a teaching job through connections.
The woman claims Machogu personally asked her to pay in order to secure the opportunity.
According to the account shared in the video, the widow sold a piece of land and also sold her only cow to raise the money. These were the last valuable things she owned after the death of her husband. She believed the sacrifice would help her son finally secure employment as a teacher.
However, after the money was handed over, the job never came.
Three years later, the family is still waiting. The son has not received any posting through the Teachers Service Commission and the widow says the money has never been returned.
The family is now left with no land, no livestock, and no clear way to recover the losses they suffered while trying to build a better future.
Machogu previously served as Education CS after being appointed by President William Ruto in 2022. Before that, he had a long career in public service and politics, including serving as Member of Parliament for Nyaribari Masaba.
He is also a graduate of the University of Nairobi. His tenure at the Ministry of Education later ended after a handover to his successor Julius Migos Ogamba.
The story has drawn attention because it highlights how desperate families can be targeted when searching for employment opportunities.
Teaching jobs are highly respected and competitive in Kenya. Because of this, some people fall victim to individuals who promise quick recruitment into the education sector in exchange for money.
The recruitment process through the Teachers Service Commission is official and does not require payment to individuals.
For the widow and her son, the damage is already done. Their hope for a better life turned into a painful loss that has left them struggling to rebuild.
