Teachers Demand Answers After PAYE Deductions Rise Without Notice
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Kenyan teachers have raised concerns over their June pay slips, which reflected unexpected increases in Pay As You Earn (PAYE) tax deductions, with many complaining that they were not given any prior notice.
A significant number of teachers have reported seeing their income tax go up by approximately Ksh 108 per month.
According to union officials, this increase could mean the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) rakes in an additional Ksh 32.4 million in tax revenue each month if applied to all 300,000 teachers on its payroll.
“Having these deductions will push many of us into further financial difficulty. We are currently getting very little in our pockets, and as teachers, this is a cause for serious concern,” one teacher stated anonymously.
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Teachers’ PAYE Deductions without Notice
A review of several pay slips by Citizen TV revealed that a teacher in Central Kenya, for instance, saw their income tax deductions rise from Ksh10,334 to Ksh10,442. In Kisumu, another teacher witnessed a jump in their PAYE from Ksh 8,687 to Ksh 8,704.
This rise translates to an increase in income tax deductions from Ksh 18,279 to Ksh 18,387 in that specific month.
The increased deductions have sparked considerable outrage among teachers, who feel that these new levies place further strain on their household budgets, which are already struggling due to increased expenses in food, fuel, and rent.
Many claim that they received no communication from TSC regarding this deduction prior to its appearance on their pay slips.
“No deduction should occur on a teacher’s pay without their being fully informed of its nature and purpose,” said a union representative. “If it is a mistake, then the funds deducted should be reimbursed.”
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Teachers’ Salary Deductions Amid Upcoming CBA Phase Two Implementation
This situation follows shortly after TSC and teachers’ unions finalized the 2026 Career Progression Guidelines and are anticipating the complete implementation of Phase Two of the 2025-2029 Collective Bargaining Agreement, which includes promised salary increments and other benefits.
The TSC has announced that it has already secured Ksh 8.4 billion of the total Ksh16 billion required for Phase Two implementation, scheduled to begin on July 1, 2026.
“If a change occurred in July, we would understand once they secured the second phase of the CBA. However, this sudden increase in deductions with no accompanying raise in salary is quite alarming,” the union official added.
As of now, the TSC Acting CEO, Eveleen Mitei, has not issued an official statement regarding the unexpected deductions.
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cting CEO, Eveleen Mitei, has not issued an official statement regarding the unexpected deductions. Teachers are expressing deep frustration with the lack of clarity, especially given the current high cost of living. Credits PCS