Corruption Allegations Rock Kisumu County ECDE Teacher Recruitment Process

Serious allegations of corruption, nepotism, and unethical conduct have emerged surrounding the recent recruitment of Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE) teachers by the Kisumu County Public Service Board, casting a shadow over the integrity of the process.

A whistleblower from the community has provided detailed claims of irregularities, accusing key figures in the recruitment exercise of flouting guidelines and engaging in illegal activities for personal gain.

According to the source, Professor Edward Kochung, head of Recruitment and Selection at the Kisumu County Public Service Board, has overseen a process riddled with discrepancies.

The whistleblower alleges that despite the job advertisement listing a diploma as the minimum qualification for ECDE teacher positions, Kochung shortlisted only diploma holders while allowing certificate holders—who do not meet the advertised criteria—to be slotted into the selection list.

The source claims that these certificate holders secured their positions by paying bribes to Kochung and his nephew, Clement Wadegu, the acting CEO of the board.

The advertisement clearly states that a diploma in Early Childhood Development Education is the minimum requirement, raising questions about how underqualified candidates were considered.

“Only those who paid him and his nephew money were selected for the position, regardless of their qualifications,” the source stated, calling for an immediate investigation by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) into the recruitment process.

Further compounding the controversy, Clement Wadegu’s role as acting CEO has come under scrutiny. The whistleblower alleges that Wadegu lacks the necessary qualifications or training to hold the position, including the mandatory Certified Secretary (CS) certification required for such a role.

Additionally, Wadegu has been acting in this capacity for over six months, which the source claims violates regulatory limits on acting appointments.

“Kochung and his nephew have turned the board into a family enterprise, leaving recruitment and selection processes in shambles,” the source lamented.

The allegations extend beyond recruitment irregularities to include claims of nepotism and abuse of power within the county government.

Staff members have reportedly raised complaints about Elizabeth Seda, Kochung’s niece and an employee of the Kisumu County government, for her alleged unethical behavior.

According to the whistleblower, Seda has been caught on multiple occasions engaging in inappropriate conduct with her supervisor, including incidents in the office and the boardroom.

Despite these reports being escalated to senior authorities, no disciplinary action has been taken against her.

The source alleges that Kochung, who oversees disciplinary cases for other employees, has shielded his niece from accountability, while her supervisor faced consequences for the same incidents.

“Her uncle Kochung protected her, yet he conducts disciplinary cases for other employees,” the whistleblower said, highlighting what they describe as a blatant double standard.

The lack of action following Seda’s repeated misconduct has fueled discontent among county staff, who see it as evidence of favoritism within the Public Service Board.

As Professor Kochung’s tenure as a board member nears its end, the whistleblower warns that his leadership has left the recruitment and selection processes vulnerable to audit queries and legal challenges.

“He is leaving behind a legacy of corruption and mismanagement,” the source stated, urging the EACC to conduct a thorough audit to uncover the extent of the alleged malpractices.