Teachers demand answers over higher PAYE deductions appear in June payslips
Teachers demand answers over higher PAYE deductions appear in June payslips
Teachers across the country are demanding an explanation from the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) after noticing higher Pay As You Earn (PAYE) deductions in their June payslips.
A majority of teachers reported an increase of about Ksh108 in income tax deductions compared to previous months, sparking fresh concerns over teachers’ financial well-being amid the rising cost of living.
The deductions have triggered widespread dissatisfaction, with educators questioning why the changes were implemented without prior communication from their employer.
Union officials estimate that if the additional deduction is applied across all the more than 300,000 teachers employed by TSC, it could amount to about Ksh32.4 million in extra tax collections in a single month.
The teachers are now calling on TSC to clarify the sudden increase in tax deductions and whether it is linked to any recent tax adjustments or payroll changes.
The concerns come at a time when many teachers say they are already struggling to cope with the high cost of living, which has significantly eroded their purchasing power despite recent salary reviews.
“Adding more tax on our payslips will cripple us more financially,” lamented one teacher who reflected on the frustrations being experienced by many other educators across the country.
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Many teachers argue that any additional deductions, regardless of the amount, further strain their household budgets that are already strained by rising prices of food, fuel, housing and other essential commodities.
The issue has emerged just days after TSC and teachers’ unions signed the 2026 Career Progression Guidelines, a framework intended to streamline and accelerate the promotion of teachers.
The new guidelines were welcomed by many educators who have long complained about stagnation in job grades and delayed promotions.
Teachers are also awaiting the full implementation of Phase Two of the 2025/2029 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), which promised salary adjustments and other benefits aimed at improving their welfare.
Meanwhile, as questions continue to mount regarding the sudden tax deductions, TSC has yet to issue any formal clarification regarding the matter.
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