Newly recruited intern and replacement teachers have been instructed to request TPay activation from their TSC County ICT officers so they can access official TSC payslips and transact online. The activation process requires teachers to provide key identification details and will create login credentials that use the teacher’s TSC number as the username.
Key Takeaways
- TPay activation is now handled by County ICT officers — teachers must contact them with TSC and ID numbers.
- There are 24,000 junior school interns and 9,159 replacement teachers recently employed.
- Junior interns receive a monthly stipend of Ksh 20,000 (about Ksh 18,000 after statutory deductions).
- Replacement teachers are on permanent and pensionable terms with full salary and allowance benefits after probation.
- Employment terms include probation, automatic promotions after three years, and standard TSC leave entitlements.
TPay activation: How interns and replacements get access
The Commission has directed headteachers to inform newly recruited teachers to contact their TSC County ICT officer for TPay activation. Teachers must supply their TSC number and national ID number. Once activated, the system issues a username (the TSC number) and password to access online payslips.
This change follows earlier measures where teachers could self-register; self-registration was suspended after fraud concerns. Central activation by ICT officers reduces risk and ensures payslip records match payroll entries.
How to activate TPay (step-by-step)
- Contact your school headteacher for the designated County ICT officer contact details.
- Provide your TSC number and national ID number.
- The ICT officer registers and activates your account on the TPay system.
- You receive a username (your TSC number) and a temporary password — change the password on first login.
- Use the portal to view payslips and confirm salary payments each month.
Who was recruited and their contract terms
The Commission deployed 24,000 junior school intern teachers in January on one-year contracts running from 1 January to 31 December 2026. In addition, 9,159 replacement teachers were recruited on permanent and pensionable terms to fill vacancies caused by natural attrition. Replacements include 7,065 primary posts, 12 junior posts and 2,082 secondary posts.
Note: the internship programme was recently declared illegal by the Court of Appeal, and TSC is reviewing the programme’s structure. Replacement teachers, however, receive standard employment benefits after completing probation.
Salary scales and allowances
Interns receive a monthly stipend of Ksh 20,000 but take home about Ksh 18,000 after statutory deductions (SHIF, Housing levy and NSSF). Replacement teachers who join on permanent terms receive the full salary and allowance package:
- P1 (Grade B5 / Primary Teacher II): basic salary from Ksh 25,028 to Ksh 31,615.
- Commuter allowance: Ksh 4,000 (P1); Graduate commuter allowance for secondary teachers: Ksh 5,000.
- Annual leave allowance: paid once in January — Ksh 4,000 (P1) and Ksh 6,000 (graduate teachers).
- Hardship allowance: up to Ksh 6,600 (P1) and Ksh 10,900 (graduate teachers) where applicable.
- House allowance: ranges by location — example rates include Ksh 3,500, Ksh 4,500 for certain municipalities, and Ksh 6,750 (Nairobi) for P1 teachers; higher rates apply for graduate teachers.
- Medical cover: provided through the Social Health Authority (SHA) via monthly medical allowance.
Probation, promotions and employment grades
Teachers serve a six-month probation period before confirmation to permanent and pensionable status (where applicable). Automatic promotions are set after three years:
- P1 teachers progress to job group C1 after three years.
- Diploma-level junior and senior teachers start at C1; graduate teachers start at C2 and move to C3 after three years.
Leave entitlements
All teachers enjoy standard TSC leave categories and payments where applicable. Most leave applications are processed online. Common leave types include:
- Sick Leave
- Annual Leave
- Compassionate Leave
- Paternity Leave
- Maternity Leave
- Study Leave
- Special Leave
- Adoption Leave
- Spouse of Diplomat Leave
Practical tips for new teachers
After activation, check your monthly payslip on the TPay portal and keep digital and printed copies for your records. If you miss a salary payment, contact your headteacher and County ICT officer immediately to confirm your TPay record.
While preparing lesson plans and assessment materials, new teachers can use free teaching resources such as CBC exams practice, KCPE exam resources, and CBC teaching notes to support classroom work and pupil assessment.
Frequently asked questions about TPay activation
- Who activates my TPay account? Your County ICT officer activates it after you provide your TSC and ID numbers.
- What is my username? Your TSC number is used as the username.
- When will I receive my salary? Replacement teachers on permanent terms are paid according to the payroll; interns are paid the monthly stipend and should verify payslips on TPay.
