Teachers across Kenya are eagerly awaiting the implementation of the second phase of the 2025–2029 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) after a notice circulating online claimed that the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) will effect the new salary structure from August 2026 if the July payroll is not updated in time.
According to the notice dated 16 July 2026, the Commission has reportedly confirmed that the second phase of the 2025–2029 CBA salary increment took effect on 1 July 2026. The communication further states that teachers whose July salaries were processed before the revised salary structure was implemented will receive the new salaries together with arrears in the August 2026 payroll.
TSC Salary Increment Effective from July 2026
The notice indicates that the Government has allocated KSh 8.4 billion to facilitate the implementation of the salary review, teacher promotions, and the employment of Junior Secondary School (JSS) teachers on Permanent and Pensionable terms.
If the information is officially confirmed by TSC, teachers across all job groups will benefit from the second phase of the salary review negotiated under the 2025–2029 CBA.
The communication also explains that payroll processing timelines may prevent some teachers from seeing the revised salaries in their July payslips. In such cases, the adjustments would instead appear in the August payroll, accompanied by salary arrears backdated to 1 July 2026.
What the Notice Says
The circulated communication outlines the following key points:
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Salary Increment | Second phase of the 2025–2029 CBA |
| Effective Date | 1 July 2026 |
| Government Allocation | KSh 8.4 billion |
| If July Payroll Is Unchanged | New salaries to be paid in August 2026 |
| Salary Arrears | Backdated to 1 July 2026 |
| Beneficiaries | TSC teachers, teacher promotions and JSS recruitment |
Why Some Teachers May Not See the Increase in July
Payroll processing within government institutions is usually completed several days before salaries are paid. If the revised salary scales were approved after payroll processing had already been finalized, implementing the changes immediately would not be possible.
This means some teachers could receive their normal July salaries before the revised figures are reflected. In such a situation, TSC would typically include both the new salary and any outstanding arrears in the following month’s payroll.
Teachers Asked to Remain Patient
The notice further urges teachers to remain patient as the Commission finalizes the implementation process. It adds that any additional updates or changes will be communicated officially by TSC.
Many teachers have been waiting for the second phase of the CBA implementation, especially after the first phase of salary adjustments was rolled out earlier under the 2025–2029 agreement.
Caution Over the Circulating Notice
Although the notice has gained significant attention on social media, teachers are advised to verify the information through official TSC communication channels before treating it as confirmed.
Unofficial documents often circulate online during salary review periods, making it important to rely on announcements published by the Teachers Service Commission or other official government platforms.
Until TSC issues an official statement confirming the implementation schedule, teachers should exercise caution regarding the authenticity of the circulating document.
What Teachers Should Expect
If the reported implementation timeline is confirmed, teachers whose July salaries do not reflect the revised rates can expect:
- Revised salaries beginning with the August 2026 payroll.
- Salary arrears calculated from 1 July 2026.
- Continued implementation of the second phase of the 2025–2029 TSC Collective Bargaining Agreement.
- Additional updates from TSC regarding promotions, Junior Secondary School recruitment, and salary implementation.
Teachers are therefore encouraged to monitor official TSC announcements and check their payslips once the August payroll is processed to confirm whether the revised salary structure and any applicable arrears have been credited.
