Content creator and teacher Tr Cillah has challenged teachers to explore additional sources of income, arguing that relying entirely on monthly salaries makes it difficult for them to achieve financial stability.
In his remarks, Cillah said teachers needed to take deliberate steps to improve their financial circumstances by pursuing legitimate business opportunities and other income-generating activities alongside their teaching careers.
He explained that his own salary progression demonstrated the financial difficulties experienced by teachers, revealing that he started earning Ksh 28,000 when he joined the profession in 2022. By 2026, his monthly earnings had risen to Ksh 37,000, representing an increase of Ksh 9,000 over approximately four years.
According to Cillah, the difference translates to an average annual increase of about Ksh 2,250, a figure he questioned whether it was sufficient to support meaningful financial progress.
He observed that teachers face several financial obligations, including loans and other personal commitments, making it increasingly difficult to meet their needs using their salaries alone.
Cillah argued that teachers should consider opportunities outside the classroom to supplement their earnings, noting that additional income could help them manage their expenses and improve their financial positions.
He further pointed out that people without inherited wealth or influential connections may have to work harder and explore alternative opportunities to improve their economic circumstances.
His remarks have drawn attention to the financial challenges facing teachers, particularly the relationship between salary progression, rising living expenses and the need for additional sources of income.