Teachers across Kenya are expressing their outrage as the government persists in deducting housing levy funds from their salaries in February, despite a court ban on the matter.

The Kenya Union of Post-Primary Teachers (KUPPET) raised alarm on Wednesday, February 28, condemning the government's decision to proceed with salary deductions despite prior assurances of none.

Moses Nthurima, KUPPET's Deputy Secretary-General, revealed that the government had initially assured teachers that deductions made in January would be reimbursed. However, no refunds were made, and further deductions occurred in February.

The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) justified the January deductions as a consequence of the pre-existing monthly payroll, refusing to refund the deducted amounts as promised.

Moreover, KUPPET alleges that the TSC escalated deductions despite a Court of Appeal ruling that upheld an injunction against the levy, deeming it unconstitutional. This defiance of the court's decision has intensified the teachers' discontent.

KUPPET asserts that the TSC's actions violate teachers' rights and demands a full refund of all deducted funds since the implementation of the Housing levy.

Furthermore, the union questions the TSC's alignment with the government's agenda, calling for the commission's independence in financial matters.

While the National Assembly supported the housing levy fund, awaiting its passage into law through Senate approval, KUPPET remains steadfast in its stance against the deductions, emphasizing the need for adherence to legal procedures and protection of teachers' rights.