Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has halted controversial deductions linked to the Kenya Women Teachers Association (KEWOTA), following a damning media exposé and mounting legal pressure from female teachers.
The decision comes in the wake of a local television investigation that uncovered what is alleged to be a multi-million shilling payroll scheme targeting thousands of female teachers across the country.
According to emerging reports, TSC has immediately stopped KEWOTA-related deductions from teachers’ payslips, which were scheduled to take effect on April 18.
Teachers Move to Court
In Kakamega, a group of female teachers has reportedly filed a case at the Employment and Labour Relations Court seeking refunds of deductions dating back to 2019.
The teachers argue that the deductions were irregular, non-consensual, and unconstitutional, claiming they were automatically effected without their approval.
The legal action marks the most direct challenge yet to the deductions, potentially opening the door for massive financial claims if the court rules in their favour.
Separate reports indicate that the deductions may have affected over 100,000 female teachers nationwide, with billions of shillings potentially involved since 2019.
Lawyer Apollo Mboya has now formally written to both TSC and the Public Service Ministry demanding full disclosure of the total amount deducted over the years.
His letter calls for transparency and accountability, arguing that public officers have a right to know how their money has been managed.
The controversy was triggered by an investigative report which alleged that deductions were being channelled through KEWOTA under questionable circumstances.
The exposé suggested that the scheme could have siphoned millions monthly from teachers’ salaries, raising concerns about governance, oversight, and possible collusion.
In a dramatic turn of events, KEWOTA officials have alleged that their offices were broken into overnight, with computers reportedly stolen.
READ ALSO: KEWOTA denounces ‘Payroll Heist’ allegations, vows legal action against defamatory claims
However, this claim has been challenged by security personnel, with night guards reportedly indicating that a relative of a senior official was the last person to leave the premises, allegedly leaving the door open.
The conflicting accounts have raised further questions about the integrity of records and possible attempts to interfere with evidence.
By Joseph Mambili
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