Payslip to payslip: Debts, mental distress push teachers to the brink
Education
By
Mike Kihaki
| May 27, 2026
New findings reveal that thousands of teachers are trapped in debt, struggling to survive from payslip to payslip and battling severe mental health challenges linked to financial distress and burnout.
The latest Teacher’s Wellness and Engagement Survey (TWES) by the Kenya National Union of Teachers and Knightwise paints the picture of a profession under pressure, where educators entrusted with shaping the nation’s future are themselves sinking into economic and emotional despair.
For years, teachers have complained about poor pay, delayed promotions, stagnation in job groups, rising statutory deductions and the increasing cost of living.
Many say their salaries no longer match the realities of modern life, leaving them vulnerable to loans, mobile credit and endless borrowing cycles.
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According to the findings, financial wellness among teachers stands at only 18 per cent, while 88 per cent are trapped in debt and unable to pay off loans while maintaining decent living standards.
The survey further shows that 97 per cent of teachers have no money left at the end of the month after meeting their obligations, effectively condemning them to a hand-to-mouth life.
Four out of every five teachers face persistent financial insecurity, while 92 per cent remain vulnerable to unexpected expenses such as medical emergencies, school fees or family crises.
Urban teachers are the worst affected due to the high cost of living in towns and cities. Teachers in Nairobi, Central Kenya and Nyanza regions were identified as the most financially strained.
Single teachers were also found to be more vulnerable financially compared to their married counterparts.
For many educators, deductions on payslips have become a source of frustration. Besides taxes, teachers face deductions for pensions, loans, Sacco contributions and medical insurance, leaving many with little disposable income.
“We are working but not living,” said one high school teacher in Nairobi who requested anonymity.
“By the time all deductions are made, what remains cannot sustain a family in the city. Many teachers survive on loans and salary advances.”
The financial crisis has now evolved into a mental health emergency. The report reveals that six in every 10 teachers experienced burnout last year, while 44 per cent reported chronic stress associated with the profession.
Even more alarming, about 12 per cent of teachers are at risk of suicide, a statistic experts describe as life-threatening and requiring urgent intervention.
The findings also show that 70 per cent of teachers have no access to counselling or mental health support services despite the increasing emotional burden they carry.
Female teachers were found to have lower mental wellness levels compared to male teachers, largely due to the pressure of balancing teaching responsibilities with domestic duties at home.
Teachers aged 60 and above recorded the lowest mental wellness scores, with many reportedly struggling with retirement anxieties and uncertainty over life after employment.
Successive governments have faced criticism from unions over delayed promotions, teacher shortages, overcrowded classrooms and stalled implementation of collective bargaining agreements.
The introduction of the Competency-Based Education has also increased pressure on teachers who are expected to adapt to new teaching methods with limited resources .
Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba is calling for urgent interventions, including better remuneration, mental health programmes, financial literacy support and improved working conditions.
However, unions officials warn that unless the crisis is addressed, the country risks demoralising the workforce responsible for nurturing future generations.