The Kenya Women Teachers Association (KEWOTA) yesterday did not appear before a parliamentary committee probing reported unauthorised payroll deductions from female teachers.

KEWOTA informed the National Assembly Departmental Committee that its officials were unable to honour the invitation, citing short notice.

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“We refer to the above matter, the invite dated April 21, 2026, addressed to CEO Benter Opanfe, inviting the leadership of KEWOTA to Parliament on April 28, 2026, and our subsequent responses dated April 27, 2026,” Ms Opande wrote to the committee yesterday.

She continued, “Noting the magnitude of the matter and noting that we are yet to submit all the pre-required documents, including the Financial Audit report, we request postponement of the hearing.”

The KEWOTA boss said they were unable to prepare all the documents on time and requested two weeks to comply with the committee’s requirements.

“The notice issued to us was very short, and we were unable to produce all the required documents on time. As such, we request that the meeting be postponed and we are given at least two (2) weeks to prepare and produce all documents required for the hearing,” she said.

Committee chairman Julius Melly said the association has been allowed the time it requested to provide the information as MPs seek answers following a recent media expose raising concerns that KEWOTA may be involved in irregular salary deductions, alongside claims of possible misappropriation of funds and alleged nepotism within its secretariat.

Reports presented to the committee indicate that KEWOTA may have been deducting Sh200 monthly from between 58,000 and 95,000 female teachers without their consent.

Group member Tom Ogada alleged the deductions were reportedly being channelled through KEWOTA, which he described as an entity operating outside the established legal framework.

“By breaking down union membership and influence, space was created for parallel structures through which teachers’ salaries could be accessed,” Ogada said last week.

Reacting to the dossier, the association denied any wrongdoing; “Firstly, we wish to state, without fear of contradiction whatsoever, that the claims contained therein are not only baseless but amount to a fabrication made with disregard for truth, professional ethics, and the law,” she stated in a press statement signed by KEWOTA chairlady Modesta Akaki on April 14.

Akaki added, “KEWOTA views this as a deliberate attempt intended to tarnish its reputation, undermine its leadership, and erode public confidence in its operations. Such conduct, we note, may be subject to legal redress.”