Teachers call for clarity on PAYE changes amid pay cut fears
By Aloys Michael, June 19, 2026Teachers across Kenya are demanding answers from the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) following unexplained increases in Pay As You Earn (PAYE) deductions reflected in their June payslips, sparking fears of reduced take-home pay amid mounting economic pressures.
The concerns have been raised by thousands of teachers who reported higher income tax deductions despite no corresponding salary increment. The issue has triggered widespread discontent within the teaching fraternity, with unions calling on the employer to provide immediate clarification.
Reports indicate that many teachers experienced an increase of approximately Ksh108 in PAYE deductions. Union officials estimate that if all the more than 300,000 teachers employed by TSC were affected, the cumulative additional deductions could amount to about Ksh32.4 million in a single month.
The development comes at a time when teachers are grappling with the high cost of living and are eagerly awaiting the implementation of salary adjustments under the 2025–2029 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).
In an interview on Friday, June 19, 2026, Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) Deputy Secretary General Hesbon Otieno questioned the timing of the deductions, noting that teachers had not received any salary increase that would justify a higher tax burden.
“Others are being deducted even more depending on their grades, and teachers are asking why there is an increase in PAYE despite the fact that there is no salary increment reflected in their payslips,” Otieno said.
He added that teachers had expected changes in statutory deductions only after the implementation of the second phase of the current CBA.
“If there was a change at the end of July, we would understand because that is when the second phase of the 2025–2029 Collective Bargaining Agreement is expected to take effect. But as it stands now, it is alarming to see an increase in deductions when there is no additional money in teachers’ pockets,” he said.
The concerns emerge barely a day after teachers’ unions and TSC signed the 2026 Career Progression Guidelines aimed at streamlining promotions and accelerating career growth within the profession.
Teachers had also welcomed reports that TSC had secured Ksh8.4 billion of the Ksh16 billion required to begin implementing the next phase of the CBA from July 1, 2026. The latest deductions, however, have overshadowed that optimism.
Otieno insisted that transparency is essential in payroll management and warned against unexplained deductions.
“No deduction should be made on a teacher’s payslip without them knowing exactly what it is for. If the deduction was made in error, then it should be refunded to the affected teachers,” he stated.
As concerns continue to grow, teachers and union leaders are now awaiting an official explanation from TSC regarding the source of the increased PAYE deductions and whether the changes are linked to tax adjustments or payroll processing anomalies.