TSC to Pay June 2025 Salaries Early
Following the reading of the national budget by Treasury CS John Mbadi on 12th June, the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) is expected to pay June 2025 salaries early. As the financial year 2024/2025 comes to a close on 30th June, salary processing for teachers is being expedited, with payments likely between 18th and 22nd June, as usual.
In addition to June salaries, the Commission will also clear outstanding bills for teachers. These include:
- Arrears for deployed teachers to different cadres
- Hardship allowance arrears for teachers transferred to gazetted hardship zones
- Outstanding payments for special needs education (SNE) teachers
TSC to Review Hardship Zones
But not all teachers will benefit equally. A section of teachers will be excluded from hardship allowances as TSC considers scrapping the allowance for certain regions, following an advisory from the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC).
This has triggered a review of hardship zone criteria, after a petition was tabled in the National Assembly by Hon. Vincent Musyoka (Mwala Constituency) on behalf of KUPPET Machakos Branch. The petition highlights the exclusion of Mwala and Kalama Sub-counties from the list of hardship areas, despite their proximity to already recognized hardship zones like Yatta, Kitui Rural, and Mbooni East.
During a session chaired by Hon. Edith Nyenze (Kitui West), the Public Petitions Committee resolved to summon TSC and SRC officials to explain how hardship zones are designated.
“We must understand the criteria used to declare certain areas as hardship zones while others, facing similar challenges, are excluded,” said Hon. Nyenze.
No Salary Increase in 2025–2026 Budget
While June payments are ongoing, teachers will have to wait longer for salary increments. The 2025–2026 national budget has no provision for salary adjustments or a new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).This has irked teachers’ unions who are now threatening a national strike over the stalled CBA 2025–2029 talks. The current CBA 2021–2025 ends on 30th June 2025 and without a new one, teachers will miss out on expected salary increments and allowances.
During the National Assembly Education Committee sitting on 13th May, TSC officials told the committee that no funds had been allocated for a new CBA. According to Cheptumo Ayabei, the Commission’s Director of Finance:
“Key areas not funded in the 2025/2026 TSC budget include the financial requirements for the CBA currently under negotiation.”
Unions Demand Action Now
All major teachers’ unions—KNUT, KUPPET, and KUSNET—have condemned TSC’s silence and inaction. They accuse the Commission of deliberately stalling negotiations, saying their proposals were submitted months ago.
“TSC keeps hiding behind the excuse of waiting for SRC advice,” said Hesbon Otieno, KNUT Deputy Secretary General.
KUPPET Secretary-General Akelo Misori wants the newly appointed acting TSC CEO, Evaleen Jesang Mitei, to start negotiations immediately.
KUSNET Secretary-General James Torome says their union has not received any communication from TSC since July 2024, despite submitting their proposals.
What Teachers Are Demanding
The teachers’ unions are pushing for:
- 60% basic salary increment over four years, adjusted for inflation
- 30% rise in allowances, including commuter, housing, and hardship allowances
Without meaningful engagement and an actionable roadmap, union officials warn of serious disruptions in learning come July.