Teachers in Kenya work hard every day to shape the future of young people. They stand in front of classes, prepare lessons, and often use their own money to buy teaching materials.
Many of them look forward to their monthly salary from the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) to cover rent, food, school fees for their children, and other basic needs. But for thousands of female teachers, that salary has been coming in smaller than expected because of deductions they say they never agreed to.
A recent investigation by KTN News has brought attention to these issues. The report looks at the Kenya Women Teachers Association, known as KEWOTA. This group was set up years ago as a welfare organization for women in teaching. Its slogan is “My Sister’s Keeper,” and it says it helps with professional growth, economic support, and personal development. Officials from KEWOTA have spoken about sponsoring studies up to PhD level, building houses, and giving water tanks to some teachers. The group claims to have tens of thousands of members across the country.
However, many female teachers tell a different story when it comes to how they became part of KEWOTA. According to the KTN report and teachers who spoke anonymously, deductions of 200 shillings started appearing on their payslips without warning. Some noticed it suddenly in their bank statements or when they checked the TSC portal.
They say they never filled any membership form, never signed a consent document, and never attended a meeting where they agreed to join. One teacher said it felt like the money was just taken from their salary without asking. Others described opening their payslip and seeing the deduction listed under KEWOTA with no explanation.
The investigation points to a possible collusion between TSC and KEWOTA that allows these deductions to continue. Money is taken from teachers’ salaries, passed through a government account, and then moved to KEWOTA.
From there, whistleblowers claim large amounts are withdrawn in cash and delivered to certain people. The report mentions that millions of shillings have been collected this way from more than 150,000 female teachers. Teachers feel this affects their already tight budgets, especially when living costs are high.
At the center of the questions is how KEWOTA uses the money. The KTN report highlights that several family members of top officials hold positions in the organization and receive salaries. The CEO is said to have employed her own children and other relatives, with some earning between 200,000 and 250,000 shillings a month. Another official’s family members, including a daughter as legal officer and a husband, are also reportedly on the payroll. Some branches of the association are described as existing only on paper, yet people still get paid for roles there.
A whistleblower who worked closely with the leadership said that after the deducted money reached the KEWOTA account, they were sometimes asked to withdraw it and hand it over in cash.
The report also talks about payments allegedly made to officials at TSC and the Kenya Revenue Authority to keep the deductions going.
One part mentions messages where the KEWOTA CEO is said to have spoken with KRA officials about large sums. The CEO herself is reportedly under investigation by state agencies for matters linked to money laundering. These are serious claims, and they raise questions about accountability when public servants’ salaries are involved.
Teachers have raised their voices before on this matter. In past years, some groups went to court to stop the deductions, saying they were illegal because there was no consent.
Labour court rulings have at times questioned the fairness of how TSC handles payslips. Yet the deductions seem to have continued for many.
Female teachers say they feel targeted because the association is only for women, and TSC is accused of helping to enforce it. Some wonder if the real aim was to weaken other teacher unions by creating a separate group.
