TSC Salary Increment 2026: What Every Kenyan Teacher Needs to Know

After years of strikes, protests, and tense negotiations, Kenyan teachers finally have reason to celebrate. As we speak, the Teachers Service Commission has set in motion one of the most significant salaries increment packages the profession has seen in recent memory. Even some educators who have commented on the looming TSC salary increment say the journey is far from over.

The increment is structured around TSC’s grading system, ranging from Grade B5, entry-level primary teachers, all the way to Grade D5 comprising of chief principals.

The CBA behind TSC salary increment

Back on July 18, 2025, the TSC signed a landmark Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) with three major teachers’ unions KNUT, KUPPET, and KUSNET.

The agreement, valued at a whopping Ksh 33.75 billion, covers the period from July 2025 to June 2029 and will be implemented in four structured phases.

The first phase which kicked off on July 1, 2025 is expected to conclude on June 30, 2026.

Subsequently, the second phase, which is now just around the corner, will take effect on July 1, 2026, with further improvements rolling out in 2027 and 2028.

Each phase brings upward revisions to both basic salaries and allowances, ensuring teachers across all job groups benefit consistently over the four-year cycle.

A breakdown of the new salary scales

• Grade B5: Entry-Level Teachers who previously earned around Ksh 23,000 are seeing their pay rise to approximately Ksh 28,600 to Ksh 37,100 by the end of the CBA period. That’s a 29.6% increase, one of the highest percentage jumps in the entire structure
• Grade C2: Mid-Level Teachers who includes Secondary Teacher II and Senior Teacher II, now earn between Ksh 41,400 and Ksh 57,200, an increase of up to Ksh 9,372 from previous scales
• Grade D4: Senior Principals now earn between Ksh 121,800 and Ksh 150,700 monthly, with increments of approximately Ksh 3,500 to Ksh 4,400
• Grade D5: Chief Principals earn a basic monthly salary of between Ksh 135,300 and Ksh 167,400

Revised TSC allowances for teachers

Besides basic pay, the CBA also revised several key allowances that significantly boost teachers monthly income.

• Commuter Allowances range from Ksh 4,000 per month for Grade B5 teachers to Ksh 16,000 for senior grades.
• House Allowances vary by location cluster, with Nairobi-based teachers receiving the highest rates.
• Hardship Allowances range from Ksh 6,600 (Grade B5) to Ksh 38,100 (Grade D5) for teachers posted in tough terrain.
• Annual Leave Allowance ranges from Ksh 4,000 to Ksh 10,000, paid at the start of each year.

One notable win in the 2025–2029 CBA is the deliberate focus on classroom teachers, particularly those at the base of the teaching pyramid.

KUPPET Secretary General Akelo Misori noted that previous CBAs had disproportionately benefited school administrators. This time, the entry-level increments are among the largest, signaling a course correction.

Additionally, the controversial Career Progression Guidelines (CPG), a rigid system introduced in 2018 that frustrated thousands of teachers seeking promotion is being phased out under the new deal.

Conclusion

With Phase 2 set to begin in just a few days, teachers across Kenya have much to look forward to.

The sustained, phased approach of the 2025–2029 CBA means that salary growth won’t be a one-off event but a steady, predictable progression over four years.

For the over 350,000 teachers employed by the TSC, this increment is more about recognition than money. It’s primarily about the government acknowledging the backbone of Kenya’s education system and investing in the people who shape its future.