TSC Clarifies Housing Levy Deductions Despite Legal Challenges, KUPPET Vows Legal Action
The deduction of the Housing Levy from teachers’ January salaries by the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has been clarified, despite the High Court declaring it illegal.
TSC boss Nancy Macharia defended the decision, explaining that the court’s declaration occurred after the payroll had already been processed.
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Speaking at a sensitization workshop for education reporters in Nairobi on Friday, Macharia elaborated on the timing of the court’s judgment and the payroll processing.
“We start processing our payroll from the 20th of each month, and by the 22nd, teachers usually have their salaries in their accounts,” Macharia stated. “The judgment came out on the 26th, yet we had started processing the payroll from the 20th.”
However, Macharia did not provide insight into whether the Housing Levy would continue to be deducted from teachers’ February salaries.
The Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (Kuppet) expressed its intention to take legal action against TSC for the January deduction.
Kuppet Secretary General Akelo Misori announced on January 31 that the union would take all necessary measures to safeguard teachers’ earnings and benefits. This included considering contempt proceedings against TSC regarding the Housing Levy tax.
Misori highlighted that they had received payslips from teachers across the country, all indicating the Housing levy deduction from January 2024 salaries. He emphasized the discrepancy, stating, “This is despite clear orders by the High Court and Court of Appeal declaring the Housing Levy illegal and unconstitutional.”
Demanding a refund for the housing levy deducted, Kuppet argued that TSC couldn’t justify the deductions based on the already processed payroll.
Misori pointed out that in similar situations, payroll adjustments had been made, even if it meant delaying payments until the necessary changes were implemented.
Kuppet called for the immediate release of the Housing deductions and stressed that the court ruling provided an opportune moment for TSC to make necessary adjustments to the payroll.
TSC Clarifies Housing Levy Deductions Despite Legal Challenges, KUPPET Vows Legal Action
