Teachers Service Commission has officially begun processing February salaries for teachers, signaling early payments ahead of the upcoming half-term school break.
The payroll run is part of accelerated internal processing designed to ensure teachers receive their earnings on time as schools prepare to close temporarily.
Sources familiar with the process indicate that payroll computations are being finalized this week, with salary crediting expected shortly after closure.
The early processing aligns with government payroll timelines requiring public institutions to complete monthly salary cycles within strict deadlines.
A circular issued by Felix Koskei, Head of Public Service, directs all government agencies to finalize payroll by mid-month to promote efficiency and timely disbursement.
Commission insiders say the February payroll may also factor in pending financial adjustments.
These include automatic teacher promotions under the Career Progression Guidelines, hardship allowances for staff posted to hardship regions, and arrears owed to promoted or reinstated teachers.
The goal is to streamline payments while supporting teacher welfare before the school calendar pause.
The early payroll push coincides with the half-term break, giving educators financial flexibility during the short recess.
However, newly recruited replacement teachers who joined recently may experience delayed capture in the payroll system and could wait longer for their first salary.
Beyond regular salaries, teachers who administered national examinations are also expecting invigilation payments.
The Kenya National Examinations Council is working to release dues for thousands of professionals involved in assessments such as KPSEA, KJSEA, and KCSE.
Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba acknowledged previous delays, citing budgetary constraints, but assured teachers that payments remain a priority.
Meanwhile, teachers should expect updated statutory deductions in their February payslips following adjustments by the National Social Security Fund.
Contribution rates are set to rise in line with pension reforms, increasing both employee and employer remittances.
The changes form part of a broader national pension restructuring that will affect workers across multiple sectors.
Education stakeholders view the early salary processing as a welcome move that reinforces payroll stability while supporting teachers during a busy academic calendar.
