KUPPET Bungoma County slams Kenya Kwanza government for excessive taxation on teachers’ salaries
KUPPET Bungoma County has faulted the Kenya Kwanza government for what it terms excessive taxation on teachers’ salaries which has left many broke.
Speaking at Misikhu, Webuye West Sub-County during a fundraiser for the burial of the late Annita Wafula, KUPPET Bungoma County Executive Secretary Augustine Luketelo lamented the heavy deductions on teachers’ pay saying they have nothing to take home and sustain their families.
Teachers Overloaded with Taxes
Luketelo urged the government to review its taxation policies saying teachers are already working under challenging conditions and need better financial relief.
“The government must review its tax policies. Teachers are heavily overloaded with taxes yet they continue to work under difficult conditions. It’s unfair that they have nothing to smile about after all the deductions” Luketelo said.
The fundraiser was organized to support the family of Annita Wafula, a teacher at Lugulu Girls High School who died of breast cancer.
Call for better medical support for cancer patients
During the same event, Bungoma County KUPPET Chairperson David Barasa called on lawmakers to pass laws that provide financial relief and medical support for cancer patients and others suffering from life threatening diseases.
“Cancer treatment is expensive and many teachers and other citizens are struggling to access medical care. We urge our lawmakers to pass laws that prioritise cancer patients so that they can get affordable treatment and support” Barasa said.
Mounting pressure on the government over teachers’ welfare
The complaints from KUPPET Bungoma are wide spread among teachers on high taxation, rising cost of living and inadequate medical cover.
Teacher unions have been calling on the government to:
✅ Review taxes to ease the financial burden on teachers.
✅ Improve salaries and allowances in line with economic inflation.
✅ Enhance medical cover for teachers especially those with chronic diseases.
With the pressure mounting, it remains to be seen whether the Kenya Kwanza administration will address these grievances and implement teacher friendly tax and healthcare policies.
