Several teachers are grappling severe mental health challenges, with some turning to gambling as a desperate means to supplement their income.
According to a recent study by the Kenya Women Teachers Association (KEWOTA), more than 60 percent of teachers are currently experiencing psychological distress, driven by financial strain, social pressures, and inadequate support systems.
The report also reveals that over one hundred (100) teachers have died by suicide in the past three years, underscoring what stakeholders are now calling a national crisis in the education sector.
Speaking during a teachers’ fun day in Kolweny, Nyakach Constituency, Kisumu County, education leaders expressed concerns over the rising cases of depression and suicide among teachers. KEWOTA CEO Benta Opande said the situation demands urgent intervention.
“Teachers are not gambling for entertainment, they are doing it out of desperation,” Opande said “When they lose, it compounds their stress and pushes them further into hopelessness. This is crucial and cannot be ignored.”
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The study also found that many teachers, who are facing stagnant wages and mounting personal expenses, have resorted to betting platforms hoping for financial relief. However, the losses often outweigh the gains, leaving them in deeper emotional and economic crisis.
Scourt Jackson, President of the Kisumu Youth Teachers’ Union, called on the government to treat the issue as a national emergency. “We are witnessing a disturbing pattern of suicides among our colleagues. The Ministry of Education must invest in mental health programmes specifically designed for teachers,” he stated.
Mercy Ochieng, a teacher and mental health advocate urged unions to broaden their advocacy beyond salary negotiations. “Unions must champion the holistic wellbeing of teachers. The emotional toll of this profession is real, and we cannot afford to overlook it,” she said.
KEWOTA National Treasurer, Jacinter Ndegwa emphasized the need for structures support systems, including financial literacy and counselling services. “Teachers are the backbone of our communities, yet many are silently suffering. We need to create safe spaces where they can seek help without stigma,” she said.
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Stakeholders are now calling on teachers’ unions to initiate meaningful dialogue with the Ministry of Education, aimed at addressing the root causes of distress and ensuring that teachers receive the protection, dignity, and support they deserve.
The crisis has reignited calls for comprehensive reforms in teacher welfare, including better pay structures, access to mental health services, and financial empowerment programmes. Without swift and compassionate intervention, stakeholders warn that teachers risk losing more lives and with them, the future of education itself is at great risk.
By Masaki Enock
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