KNUT Survey Reveals Teachers Struggling With Debt, Daily Expenses and Mental Health Crisis in Kenya

A new survey by the Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) has revealed serious financial and mental health challenges facing teachers across the country.

The union’s Teachers’ Wellness and Engagement Research Report shows that many teachers are struggling to meet daily expenses, manage debts, and maintain their emotional well-being.

The findings were released during the launch of the report in Nairobi on Tuesday, May 26, 2026.

According to the report, 97 % of teachers live from paycheck to paycheck and have no savings left at the end of the month.

The survey also found that 92 % of teachers are unable to handle unexpected expenses, while 88 % struggle to repay debts without affecting their standard of living.

Researchers noted that four out of five teachers face constant financial stress due to rising living costs and lack of long-term financial security.

The report further revealed that many teachers do not have retirement plans or safety nets to support them in the future.

Burnout and Emotional Distress on the Rise at KNUT

The findings also highlighted growing mental health concerns among teachers.

According to the report, 60 % of teachers experience burnout, 18 % are in financial distress, and 12 % have had suicidal thoughts.

The report linked these challenges to heavy workloads, financial pressure, and limited support systems within the profession.

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Government Promises Support for Teachers

During the launch, Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Migos Ogamba acknowledged the concerns raised in the report and said the government is working to improve teachers’ welfare.

The CS said the government has employed 100,000 teachers in the last three years to reduce workloads and improve learning conditions in schools.

He also announced that the government has allocated Ksh 950 million for retraining teachers under the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC).

In addition, Ksh 2 billion has been set aside for teacher promotions through the Teachers Service Commission during the 2026/2027 financial year.

“Teachers are indispensable; the system will never thrive if the teacher isn’t thriving and is not fully engaged, as this affects learners,” Ogamba said.

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Calls for Urgent Action

Ogamba urged stakeholders to take urgent action to improve the welfare of teachers and reduce the worrying numbers highlighted in the survey.

“We must think about what we should do to reduce those numbers. In Finland, the highest-paid professional is a teacher. We need to move our teachers from where they are to where they are supposed to be,” he said.

He added that the government is making teacher promotions more predictable by allocating dedicated funds instead of relying only on available vacancies.

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KNUT Secretary General Collins Oyuu addressing the media in Kisumu on April 4,2026
PHOTO/KNUT