TSC issues advisory to Intern & Replacement teachers who missed pay

TSC Issues Critical Advisory as Thousands of January Recruits Miss Four Months of Pay

The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has finally issued an advisory to thousands of teachers recruited in January 2026, many of whom have yet to receive a single cent in salary.

The move comes after mounting complaints from both junior school interns and permanent replacement teachers who are now entering their fourth month without pay.

The delay has hit two main groups: the 24,000 junior school intern teachers deployed in January and an additional 9,159 replacement teachers hired to fill vacancies left by those who exited the service in 2025.

Why the Delay? Data Gaps and “0.00” Payslips

According to TSC directors, the primary reason for the payment hitch is not a lack of funds, but rather errors in data entry.

Many teachers have missing or inaccurate particulars, specifically regarding:

Paypoint Details: Errors in bank account or branch information.
Casualty Returns: Delays in schools submitting the official reporting dates for new staff.

The Commission advised teachers to check their T-Pay portal. If a teacher can log in and see a payslip that reads Ksh 0.00, it is actually a “good” sign—it confirms their details are captured in the system, even if the payment hasn’t been processed.

Teachers with missing details or no portal access are urged to contact their respective sub-county offices immediately.

The anomalies must be corrected before 16th May when TSC will be closing its May payroll.

The TPay payslip activation for those whose particulars were accurately submitted can be done by contacting the Teachers Service Commission County ICT officers.

Some teachers who visited the Teachers Service Commission headquarters in Upper Hill in March were able to correct wrongly captured data instantly, and their salaries were processed in April.

From Insolvency to a Sh 24.2 Billion Lifeline

The salary crisis unfolded against a backdrop of severe financial distress for the Commission.

Earlier this year, Auditor General Nancy Gathungu declared the TSC insolvent, citing a staggering Sh 7.5 billion budget deficit.

However, there is light at the end of the tunnel. The Commission recently received Sh 24.2 billion in a supplementary budget specifically aimed at covering salary shortfalls.

While this funding allowed the TSC to pay a majority of interns in April, many teachers report that arrears for January, February, and March remain unpaid.

Remuneration Breakdown: Interns vs. Permanent Staff

While interns and replacement teachers are working side-by-side, their pay structures differ significantly.

1. Junior School Interns

Interns are on a one-year contract (January 1 to December 31, 2026).

Gross Stipend: Ksh 20,000
Net Pay: Approximately Ksh 17,000 (after deductions for SHIF, Housing Levy, and NSSF).

2. Replacement Teachers (Permanent & Pensionable)

Replacement teachers enjoy full benefits and are currently serving a six-month probation period.

Benefit	Primary Teacher (B5 / T-Scale 5)	Graduate Secondary (C2)
Basic Salary	Ksh 25,028 – 31,615	Ksh 39,070 – 49,100
Commuter Allowance	Ksh 4,000	Ksh 5,000
House Allowance (Nairobi)	Ksh 6,750	Ksh 16,500
House Allowance (Other Cities)	Ksh 4,500	Ksh 12,800
House Allowance (Rural)	Ksh 3,500	Ksh 9,600
Hardship Allowance	Ksh 6,600	Ksh 10,900
Annual Leave Allowance	Ksh 4,000 (Paid Jan)	Ksh 6,000 (Paid Jan)

Other Cities Includes Mombasa, Kisumu, Nakuru, Nyeri, Eldoret, Thika, Kisii, Malindi, Kakamega, and Kitale.

Career Progression and Benefits

Permanent replacement teachers are on a clear path for growth:

P1/Primary Teachers: Automatically promoted to Grade C1 after three years.
Secondary Graduates: Start at C2 and move to C3 after three years.
Secondary Diploma Holders: Start at C1 and move to C2 after three years.

Additionally, these teachers are covered under a comprehensive medical scheme via the Social Health Authority (SHA).

Leave Policy

The TSC has also reminded new recruits that they are entitled to various leave types, most of which must be applied for through the online platform:

Annual & Sick Leave
Maternity & Paternity Leave
Compassionate & Study Leave
Special, Adoption, and Spouse of Diplomat Leave

As the May payroll approaches, the affected teachers are “clinging to hope” that the Commission will finally settle both their current month’s pay and the mounting arrears that have left many in financial distress.

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