The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has issued an advisory after thousands of teachers recruited in January 2026 — including junior school interns and permanent replacement teachers — entered their fourth month without pay. This update explains the cause of the delays, how to check your payslip on the T-Pay portal, and the actions affected staff must take to resolve payment issues for TSC unpaid teachers.
Key Takeaways
- TSC unpaid teachers are mainly affected by data-entry errors, not lack of funds.
- A payslip showing Ksh 0.00 on the T-Pay portal usually means your details exist in the system but payment is pending.
- All personal and paypoint details must be corrected before 16 May when the May payroll closes.
- Interns earn a gross stipend of Ksh 20,000; replacement teachers receive higher, pensionable pay and benefits.
TSC unpaid teachers: why the delays
TSC directors say the main cause of delayed salaries is incomplete or inaccurate data captured in payroll systems. Common problems include incorrect bank or branch details and missing casualty returns — the official school reports that confirm a teacher’s start date.
The Commission has received supplementary funding to cover salary shortfalls, but payments cannot be processed until data anomalies are fixed. An official payslip that displays Ksh 0.00 indicates the teacher’s record is in the system; it is a sign that the teacher should follow up rather than reapply for the job.
How to check the T-Pay portal and activate payslips
Follow these simple steps to confirm your status and request activation of your payslip:
- Log in to the T-Pay portal using your credentials.
- If you see a payslip of Ksh 0.00, note the details shown and take a screenshot for records.
- If your record is missing or details are incorrect, contact your sub-county office immediately.
- For payslip activation after correction, liaise with the Teachers Service Commission County ICT officers.
Some recruits who visited TSC headquarters were able to correct wrongly captured data and had their salaries processed the following month. Acting quickly is essential because the payroll window closes on set dates.
Remuneration: intern teacher stipend vs replacement teachers pay
Pay differs by contract type. Below are the typical figures for January 2026 recruits:
- Junior school interns (one-year contract, 2026)
- Gross stipend: Ksh 20,000
- Net pay: approximately Ksh 17,000 after SHIF, Housing Levy and NSSF deductions
- Replacement teachers (permanent & pensionable)
- Primary Basic Salary (B5/T-Scale 5): Ksh 25,028 – 31,615
- Graduate Secondary (C2): Ksh 39,070 – 49,100
- Commuter Allowance: Ksh 4,000 – 5,000
- House Allowance (Nairobi example): Ksh 6,750 – 16,500 depending on cadre
- Hardship Allowance and Annual Leave Allowance vary by grade and location
Career progression, benefits and leave
- Permanent replacement teachers are on a clear promotion path (for example, P1 to Grade C1 after three years).
- Replacement teachers are entitled to medical cover under the Social Health Authority (SHA).
- Leave types include annual, sick, maternity/paternity, compassionate, study leave and special leave — applications are mostly processed online.
What affected teachers should do now
If you are one of the affected recruits, follow this checklist:
- Log into the T-Pay portal and screenshot any payslip or error messages.
- Confirm and update paypoint and bank details through your sub-county office.
- Contact the County ICT officer for payslip activation once corrections are made.
- If issues persist, consider visiting your county TSC office or the TSC headquarters for in-person help.
Act before the May payroll cut-off to avoid further delays. While funding has been made available to clear shortfalls, the Commission must receive accurate records to process payments and arrears.
Additional resources for teachers and trainees
While resolving payroll issues, teachers may find it useful to access curriculum and exam materials for classroom planning and professional development. For CBC teaching resources and exam practice see CBC exam resources. Primary teachers can download lesson and scheme templates such as Grade 6 CBC schemes of work. For those preparing learners for national exams, a selection of past papers is available at KCPE past papers and resources.
