- Eva’s story is one of resilience, sacrifice, and the high price of advocacy in Kenya’s education sector. She has fought for teachers’ rights, even when it cost her health, financial stability, and career progression.
- Dr. Elizabeth Kalunda, a psychologist specializing in workplace trauma, says Eva’s experience is a textbook case of workplace victimization.
- Eva walks away from her teaching career with nothing tangible—no wealth, no promotion, no recognition from TSC. But she carries something far more valuable: the impact she made on her students and the change she helped bring for future teachers.
For 40 years, Eva Muchemi has dedicated her life to shaping young minds in Kenya. As a primary school teacher at Our Lady of Mercy in South B, Nairobi, she has worked tirelessly beyond the call of duty, molding thousands of students. But despite her devotion, her career has been marked by stagnation, systemic injustices, and a heartbreaking betrayal by the very system she served.
Eva’s story is one of resilience, sacrifice, and the high price of advocacy in Kenya’s education sector. She has fought for teachers’ rights, even when it cost her health, financial stability, and career progression. Her case highlights the challenges many educators face—stagnation, forced transfers, and a lack of recognition, raising urgent questions about how Kenya treats its teachers.
A Life of Dedication, A Career of Stagnation
Employed by the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) at just 19 years old, Eva has spent four decades shaping Kenya’s future. She has never turned her back on her students, giving her all to ensure they succeed. But while thousands of children have passed through her hands and went on to thrive, Eva has remained stuck in the same position throughout her career.
“Have worked beyond the call of duty… yet never promoted,” she laments.
Like many teachers in Kenya, Eva has found herself trapped in a system that fails to recognize and reward dedication. The issue of stagnation among teachers is widespread, with many serving for decades without promotions or salary increments.
Prof. Rosebella Maranga, an expert in education policy, explains: “Kenya’s education system has long neglected the professional growth of teachers. Promotions are not based on merit but rather political maneuvering and favoritism, leaving hardworking educators like Eva without career progression.”
The Price of Advocacy
Tired of the mistreatment of teachers, Eva and others petitioned Parliament, raising concerns about stagnation, forced delocalization, and poor health coverage under Minet, the medical insurer for teachers. This act of defiance came at a cost.
Instead of listening to her concerns, TSC retaliated. She was transferred from Nairobi to a high-risk security zone in Narok South at the age of 55, despite her declining health. The punishment didn’t stop there, she was later suspended and then interdicted for two years with zero pay.
For a single parent like Eva, this was a nightmare. With no salary, she struggled to support her son through school, was evicted from her home, and had her belongings auctioned off. The stress took a toll on her health, leading to multiple hospitalizations.
“Acute stress reached terrible levels… God is great I never had a mental breakdown,” she recalls.
Dr. Elizabeth Kalunda, a psychologist specializing in workplace trauma, says Eva’s experience is a textbook case of workplace victimization:
“When employees speak out against injustices, punitive measures are often used to silence them. Eva’s case is tragic because, instead of being supported, she was punished to the point of health deterioration.”
The Broken System: Teachers as the Nation’s Martyrs
Eva’s struggles mirror those of many teachers across Kenya. Despite their critical role in shaping the country’s future, teachers often work under poor conditions, with little job security or support.
A 2023 report by the Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) revealed that:
- 72% of primary school teachers have been in the same job grade for over 10 years.
- Delocalization policies have displaced thousands, forcing them away from their families.
- Over 60% of teachers suffer from work-related stress, yet mental health support remains inadequate.
“Teachers in Kenya are treated like disposable tools,” says Geoffrey Mogire, an education advocate and former KNUT official. “We expect them to build our society but refuse to invest in their welfare.”
The case of teachers interdicted for questioning the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) further highlights this mistreatment. According to Eva, eight of her colleagues who were interdicted alongside her died from stress-related complications. She, too, developed a life-threatening condition due to the immense pressure she faced.
The Fight That Brought Change
Despite her suffering, Eva refuses to see herself as a victim. She calls herself a fighter, proud that her struggles have led to real change.
Because of her petition and public outcry, the government eventually halted delocalization policies, scrapped mandatory Teacher Professional Development (TPD) training, and began addressing teacher promotions. While she was personally denied a promotion, allegedly blocked from accessing the TSC portal, she takes solace in knowing that her fight wasn’t in vain.
“I may not curse my oppressors, but they must know they leave behind a broken teacher—scarred, but not silenced. My pain and tears saved the teachers of this nation.”
Her signature on the Parliamentary petition remains a permanent mark in Kenya’s education history, a testament to her courage.
A Call to Action: Valuing Our Educators
As Eva prepares for retirement in December 2026, she does so with mixed emotions—relief that her struggles are almost over, but sadness that she leaves behind a profession that still undervalues its workforce.
Her story is a wake-up call. It is time for the Kenyan government to prioritize the welfare of teachers by:
- Ensuring Fair Promotions: Merit-based promotions must be implemented to prevent stagnation.
- Improving Mental Health Support: Teachers facing stress and burnout need counseling services.
- Abolishing Punitive Transfers: Teachers should not be used as pawns in political battles.
- Enhancing Medical Coverage: The current Minet insurance scheme must be reviewed to provide adequate support.
Education experts, including Prof. Laila Abubakar, stress that if teachers like Eva are not protected, Kenya risks losing its best educators to burnout or migration.
“A nation that undervalues its teachers is a nation that jeopardizes its future.”
The Legacy of a Fighter
Eva Muchemi walks away from her teaching career with nothing tangible—no wealth, no promotion, no recognition from TSC. But she carries something far more valuable: the impact she has made on her students and the change she has helped bring for future teachers.
Her story is one of sacrifice, resilience, and the power of speaking out. It is a reminder that change is never easy, and those who fight for justice often pay the highest price.
As Kenya moves forward, may we never forget teachers like Eva, who gave their all but received little in return. May her struggles inspire reforms that ensure no educator ever has to endure what she did.
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Eva Muchemi’s name will remain etched in Kenya’s education history—not as a broken teacher, but as a warrior who fought for a better future for all.
