Lawyer Willis Otieno has questioned unexplained PAYE deductions appearing on teachers’ June payslips, saying the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) deducted an extra Ksh108 from over 300,000 teachers without any public explanation or prior notice.

Speaking in a statement shared on his X account on Sunday, June 21, 2026, Otieno said the unexplained deduction translates to an estimated Ksh32.4 million in a single month, raising concerns over transparency in payroll administration and management of teachers’ remuneration.

“This is not just about Ksh108. It is about a pattern where deductions are implemented first, and explanations come later, if at all,” Otieno stated.

Accountability and payroll transparency in focus

Otieno argued that the deductions reflect a wider governance problem within public payroll systems, where financial decisions affecting workers are made without sufficient disclosure or engagement.

He said teachers are left to adjust their already stretched incomes while institutions operate without urgency or accountability.

“Fraudsters all over!” he added.

By the time of this publication, TSC had not issued a response to the claims.

Mounting pressure on TSC over payroll systems

The controversy comes amid renewed scrutiny of payroll management within the Teachers Service Commission (TSC), which oversees salaries for more than 340,000 teachers nationwide.

Teachers’ unions have in recent months raised concerns over unexplained deductions, delayed adjustments, and inconsistencies in payslip structures, warning that such practices are eroding trust in the commission’s handling of remuneration.

Some teachers have also reported difficulty obtaining clear explanations from payroll offices, further fuelling frustration over what they describe as a lack of transparency in salary administration.

Audit flags deeper financial strain at TSC

A 2026 Auditor General’s report meanwhile raised serious concerns over the financial stability of the Teachers Service Commission, flagging a Ksh7.34 billion accumulated deficit alongside payroll irregularities, pending bills, and weak financial controls.

The report indicated that TSC continues to struggle with liquidity pressures, with liabilities exceeding available assets, raising doubts over its ability to meet obligations on time.

Auditor General Nancy Gathungu noted that the commission’s financial position reflects “an inability to meet obligations as and when they fall due,” citing overspending and unresolved liabilities.

The audit further flagged inconsistencies in payroll records and weaknesses in oversight systems, including gaps that raise questions about accuracy and accountability in salary processing.

As scrutiny intensifies, stakeholders are now calling for stronger safeguards, clearer communication, and full disclosure on all payroll deductions affecting teachers.