From payroll to bank documents: How a teacher's welfare scheme has been captured by relatives

Kewota CEO Benta Oswago Opande at a past event. [File Courtesy]

It was supposed to be a lifeline for Kenya’s women teachers—a welfare organisation and vehicle for empowerment.

Just five years ago, the Kenya Women Teachers Association (Kewota) was formally recognised by the government and granted the authority to deduct money directly from the payroll system, from the salaries of teachers across the country.

The arrangement was meant to simplify contributions and expand access to welfare services. Instead, a cache of WhatsApp messages, payroll records, bank letters, and internal documents obtained by The Standard appears to expose what sources describe as a coordinated scheme marked by greed, nepotism, and possible corruption at the highest levels of the organisation.

Every month, Sh200 is deducted from a teacher’s salary. Multiply that by 95,000 members. That translates to approximately Sh19 million monthly, or more than Sh228 million annually. The question that emerges from the documents reviewed is simple: Where does the money go?

At the centre of the claims is Kewota CEO Benta Oswago Opande. According to payroll records we reviewed, she earns between Sh250,000 and Sh350,000 monthly. However, documents suggest that this figure may not reflect the full extent of her earnings.

Kewota CEO Benta Oswago Opande. [File Courtesy]

Her son, Dan Oswago, is listed as working in the marketing department, earning Sh200,000 monthly. Her daughter, Samantha Oswago, a lawyer, commands a similar salary of Sh209,000. Another son, James Oswago, is linked to media functions and is paid Sh200,000 through Adfast, a contractor to Kewota.

Adfast Limited is owned by Judah Mutinda Nzangi, who is also identified in documents as Opande’s personal assistant and is paid Sh150,000 monthly. Another daughter, Judith Oswago, is listed as a consultant earning Sh200,000.

The pattern, according to records seen by The Standard, extends well beyond immediate family. Bernard Ogony, a prison warden based in Kisumu, appears on the payroll as an IT consultant earning Sh40,000 monthly. Opande’s former husband, James Oswago, is also listed as a consultant earning Sh100,000.

Her niece, Elsie Nicole, runs the Kisumu office and earns Sh40,000 monthly. Her brother, Peter Opande, listed in payroll documents as Simon Peter, is recorded as managing the Kericho office, earning Sh40,000, despite no clear evidence of a functioning office at that location.

Further records suggest additional relatives on the payroll. Matthew Opande, another brother, is listed as a consultant earning Sh100,000 monthly, despite also holding a position as an accountant at KICC. Rosemary Opande, a sister, is recorded as coordinating the Kisumu office with a salary of Sh50,000. Sarah Lomolo, identified as a niece, heads the Eldoret office and earns Sh40,000 monthly.

When contacted, Bernard Ogony declined to comment, stating it was no one’s business where he works or what he earns. Elsie Nicole confirmed that Opande is her aunt and that she is employed by Kewota. Sarah Lomolo also confirmed both her relationship to Opande and her employment status.

Samantha Oswago acknowledged that Opande is her mother but declined to discuss financial arrangements, citing professional confidentiality obligations.

If Opande sits at the centre of the organisation, her treasurer, Jacinta Ndegwa, is also prominently featured in the documents. She earns a reported monthly salary of Sh270,000, with additional records indicating multiple payments through different accounts in some instances.

Documents reviewed suggest that Ndegwa’s relatives and associates are similarly represented on the payroll. Her daughter, Betty Ndegwa, is listed as a legal officer earning Sh100,000 monthly. An associate, Kimani Mugo, is employed as a driver earning Sh280,000.

Her nephews and associates are also listed: Julius Muthee, who manages data, earns Sh160,000; Kimani Wanjiru is an administration officer earning Sh43,000; James Waititu oversees the Kiambu office as an administrator earning Sh30,000 monthly; and Dennis Mureithi Wairimu performs a similar role in Murang’a, earning Sh30,000. Her niece, Faith Muriithi, is listed in Laikipia with a salary of Sh30,000.

Shelmith Wahome, a friend working for Kewota, confirmed she knows Ndegwa but declined to discuss financial matters, describing them as private. Kimani Mugo denied working for Kewota but, when confronted with payroll records, declined further engagement. Several others contacted either declined to comment or did not respond substantively to questions.

Beyond payroll, documents and communications we reviewed suggest attempts to influence or maintain relationships with officials in key State agencies. The Teachers Service Commission (TSC), the body mandated to oversee teachers and protect their welfare, is referenced in multiple communications. According to documents seen, one method allegedly used to generate cash involves overpayment of staff followed by withdrawal of excess funds.

In September 2025, a letter requested that Sh923,924 be paid to 10 staff members who held accounts at the same bank. Sources familiar with the transactions allege that portions of the funds were withdrawn in cash and redirected elsewhere.

A series of WhatsApp messages appears to detail the movement of funds to individuals described as being within TSC and other State agencies. In one exchange, the CEO instructs that certain individuals be paid as “appreciation for the way they have worked with us”.

Records reviewed indicate that one individual identified as a TSC director received Sh100,000 on January 13, 2024, with similar payments allegedly continuing over time. According to sources, the payment method was later shifted to cash transactions, reportedly to reduce traceability. The Standard could not independently verify all aspects of these claims.

The messages also suggest internal frustration over unmet expectations. In one exchange, the CEO is quoted as saying, “My people are asking. We were promised maneno ya KRA ili isha. But the Bernard man is still calling us up to this day. He needs 1m this month.”

The reference is understood to relate to dealings involving the Kenya Revenue Authority. When the tax agency issued a Sh16 million demand in November 2023, internal communications suggest efforts to address the issue outside formal enforcement channels.

A source familiar with the matter claims that cash was delivered to an official in Nairobi. According to the account, the exchange took place in a parking area near KICC, where a bag containing money was handed over. The Standard was not able to independently verify this account, but it is consistent with patterns described in multiple communications reviewed.

Additional messages reviewed suggest dissatisfaction even after payments were allegedly made, with references to continued demands for money. Documents also indicate that cash withdrawals may have been facilitated through what are described as “membership recruitment drives.” In these instances, lists of names were generated and used to justify withdrawals from the bank.

Between June 2 and 5, 2025, records show a recruitment drive in Muhoroni listing 71 individuals, each allocated Sh12,000. Similar records exist for Uasin Gishu, with 66 names, and Narok, with 30 names, each receiving similar allocations. Sources familiar with the operations allege that many of the listed individuals did not exist.“The lists were fictitious,” said one source familiar with the operations. “Anytime there was a need for money, a recruitment drive would be created. That way, all that was required was a letter to the bank to release the funds in cash.”

Salary payments also appear to follow irregular patterns. In June 2024, records reviewed show that the CEO received a total of Sh930,000 through multiple bank accounts—Sh450,000 paid into one account and Sh480,000 into another.

Ndegwa similarly received multiple payments across different accounts, totalling approximately Sh700,000. The splitting of payments across accounts is evident in several records, although the rationale for this structure is not explained in the documents reviewed. Even office arrangements raise questions. Despite records indicating that Kewota pays Sh30,000 for office space in Kisumu, a physical visit by The Standard to Al Imran Plaza found the same space being used by other businesses linked to Opande, including a Sacco and a health-related enterprise.

When contacted, Opande declined to engage in detail, stating that she had a constitutional right not to respond, but denied allegations of wrongdoing, corruption, and nepotism. She maintained that she had only employed one of her children, who also serves as her driver.

She also said the source who gave us the information is doing so out of malice, claiming he has been blackmailing her after he was fired.

Ndegwa initially indicated she was unwell when contacted, and later cited poor network coverage. She did not provide substantive responses to the questions posed despite multiple follow-ups.

The documents, messages and testimonies we reviewed raise serious questions about governance, oversight, and accountability within an organisation entrusted with the welfare of thousands of teachers.

For the 95,000 teachers whose salaries are deducted every month, the emerging picture, if confirmed, points to a system that may have drifted far from its founding purpose.