Teachers protest new deduction on payslips

Teachers in Nakuru have protested over the introduction of a new deduction in their payslips.

Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (Kuppet), Nakuru Branch Organising Secretary Joseph Chebukaka, said the introduction of Kuppet SWAL deduction on the teachers’ payslips is illegal.

He noted that this was the first time such a deduction was made, and no teacher was notified.

“Teachers were expecting to smile to the bank due to the Collective Bargain Agreement increment, unfortunately, as we are talking, there is a new deduction called KUPPET SWAL on the teachers’ payslips. This has never been in existence,” he said.

Chebukaka termed the new deduction illegal and should be stopped. 

“We are calling on the national executive board to move with speed and give an explanation, if not inform the Teachers Service Commission to stop the deduction on the teachers’ payslips with immediate effect,” he said.

Chebukaka said with the deduction majority of the teachers have not felt the impact of the salary increment.

Nancy Chelangat, Nakuru Kuppet Gender Secretary, Nakuru, said the new deduction is a shock to all the members.

She demanded an explanation of how the deduction was arrived at.

“As officials, we are clueless, we don’t know what the deduction means, and members are demanding answers,” she said.

She said the National Office should tell Teachers Service Commission (TSC) to stop the deductions and give teachers their money.

Chelangat said the union dues are known, and others should not be introduced.

Recently, the more than 400,000 teachers under the Teachers Service Commission received a pay rise after the government and their unions reached a deal.

The deal is worth Sh33 billion and will serve for four years between July 2025 and June 2029.

The deal was signed by the Kenya National Union of Teachers, Kuppet and Kenya Union of Special Needs Education Teachers.