Teachers demand answers over unexplained Ksh.108 PAYE increase in June payslips

Teachers across the country are unhappy with an increase in their Pay As You Earn (PAYE) deductions without proper communication from their employer, the Teachers Service Commission (TSC).

In their June payslips, a majority of teachers were deducted approximately Ksh.108 more in income tax, which, according to union officials, would translate to an aggregate of up to Ksh.32.4 million in one month if effected on the payslips of all the 300,000 teachers employed by TSC.

The teachers are demanding clarification on the new deduction from TSC.

It comes amid calls for improved pay for educators against the pressure of the high cost of living.

Teacher Juma, not his real name, is among thousands of teachers across the country lamenting an increase in PAYE deductions on their June payslips without an explanation from their employer, the Teachers Service Commission.

The puzzling deductions, he says, add to the agony of teachers, a majority of whom are grappling with low pay despite the rising cost of living.

Citizen Television obtained payslips from several teachers indicating the PAYE increase.

One teacher, for instance, used to pay Ksh.10,334 as income tax, but the June deduction rose to Ksh.10,442, while another teacher in Kisumu who used to pay Ksh.18,279 noticed the deduction had increased to Ksh.18,387.

The upward adjustment of about Ksh.108, according to union officials, would translate to an aggregate deduction of as much as Ksh.32.4 million in a single month if effected on the payslips of the more than 300,000 teachers employed by TSC.

The concerns come just a day after teachers' unions and TSC signed the 2026 Career Progression Guidelines, which seek to streamline and hasten the promotion of teachers.

Teachers were also expecting the full implementation of Phase Two of the 2025–2029 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), which promised, among other things, salary adjustments.

This follows confirmation by TSC that it had secured Ksh.8.4 billion to begin implementation from July 1, 2026.

TSC is yet to shed light on the source of the June deductions.