The recent release of June payslips has brought a new wave of frustration for teachers nationwide, as many have noticed an unexpected increase in their Pay As You Earn (PAYE) deductions.
This change occurred without any prior notice or explanation from their employer, the Teachers Service Commission (TSC).
For a workforce already feeling the financial strain of a high cost of living, this unannounced adjustment has added another layer of uncertainty and discontent.
A closer look at the payslips reveals a consistent upward adjustment of approximately Ksh.108 in income tax for many educators.
While this amount might seem small on an individual level, the cumulative effect is staggering. Union officials have calculated that if this deduction applies to all 300,000 teachers employed by the TSC, it would result in an aggregate deduction of roughly Ksh.32.4 million in a single month.
This significant sum has raised serious questions about the commission’s financial practices and its duty to communicate clearly with its employees.
One teacher, who asked to remain anonymous to protect his job, expressed the shared sentiment of his colleagues. He lamented that this puzzling deduction only deepens the agony of teachers who are already struggling with low pay. He is not alone.
We reviewed payslips from various regions that confirm the trend. For example, one teacher saw their monthly income tax rise from Ksh.10,334 to Ksh.10,442, while another teacher in Kisumu experienced an increase from Ksh.18,279 to Ksh.18,387.
These small but notable changes have left educators feeling financially squeezed and demanding transparency.
The timing of this deduction is particularly sensitive. Just a day before the payslips were released, teachers’ unions and the TSC had signed the 2026 Career Progression Guidelines, an agreement aimed at streamlining and accelerating teacher promotions.
Furthermore, educators were eagerly anticipating the full implementation of Phase Two of the 2025–2029 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), which promised salary adjustments and other benefits.
The TSC had recently confirmed that it had secured Ksh.8.4 billion to begin this implementation from July 1, 2026, which only heightened expectations for better pay.
In the face of these developments, the silence from the TSC is deafening. The commission has yet to offer any explanation regarding the source or reason for the June deductions.
Teachers are left waiting for answers, hoping that their employer will address their concerns and provide the clarity they deserve. Without proper communication, trust between the educators and their employer continues to erode, making an already difficult situation even more challenging.
Add Comment