Elimu Bora Working Group has raised concerns over alleged illegal deductions from their salaries that affects teachers across the country and called for urgent investigations by relevant state agencies.

Elimu Bora Working Group member Tom Ogada said the deductions are channelled to the Kenya Women Teachers’ Association (KEWOTA), which he described as an illegal entity that operates outside established legal framework.

Mr Ogada warned that the situation pointed to a coordinated scheme that undermined labour rights and weakens legitimate teachers’ unions.

“This appears to be a coordinated arrangement that undermines labour rights, weakens legitimate unions and facilitates massive financial fraud,” Ogada warned.

He alleged that KEWOTA operates clandestinely with the support of individuals in the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) and the Ministry of Education. He observed that its formation bypassed required legal and regulatory procedures governing professional associations.

In his opinion, the emergence of KEWOTA is part of government plot to weaken established unions such as the Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) and the Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET). He explained that such an association creates parallel structures that facilitates salary deductions with limited scrutiny.

“By breaking down union membership and influence, space was created for parallel structures through which teachers’ salaries can be accessed clandestinely,” he added.

Elimu Bora Convener Ray Orek pointed out that only the Teachers Service Commission is mandated to effect deductions under strictly defined conditions.

Orek explained that deductions are only lawful where there is a court order, arbitration award or a collective bargaining agreement as provided under Section 19 of the Employment Act, none of which, he said, applies to KEWOTA.

“The authority to deduct from teachers’ salaries rests solely with the TSC under a clear legal and administrative framework,” he stated.

He added that affected teachers neither joined the association voluntarily nor provided consent for deductions and termed it a violation of labour rights and statutory protections.

Elimu Bora linked the alleged scheme to broader corruption concerns. He said KEWOTA is controlled by individuals with political interests.

The two teacher representatives estimated that Ksh228 million is deducted annually from teachers, and that the account maybe holding billions of shillings illegally.

 “This directly deprives teachers of their earnings, erodes public trust and diverts resources from an already strained education sector,” Orek pointed out.

In their demands, the group urged the Ministry of Education to disclose KEWOTA’s legal status, including any approvals or correspondence authorising its operations.

They also called on the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) to launch an independent probe into its formation, financing and activities.

The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) was further urged to institute criminal investigations against individuals found to have facilitated unlawful deductions, while Parliamentary committees on Education and Labour were asked to open a public inquiry into what the teacher far is a covert plot to weaken teachers’ unions.

Elimu Bora member David Karani stressed that halting the deductions alone would not be enough. The affected teachers must be refunded, he said.

“Stopping the deductions is not enough. The money taken illegally over the years must be returned to the teachers,” he said.

He further urged swift investigations, warning that accountability must extend to all those implicated.

“We urge speedy and conclusive investigations to establish how the organisation was formed and how these activities have been conducted,” Karani noted.

The group warned that continued unlawful deductions risk demoralising teachers and undermining the quality of education.

“A demoralised teacher cannot effectively deliver in the classroom,” Karani.

The Elimu Bora Working Group reaffirmed its commitment to pursuing justice for affected teachers, saying transparency and accountability are essential to restoring confidence in the education sector.

• A Tell Media / KNA report / By Anita Kariuki and Nyawira Githinji.