Question 1

What is the best free PAYE calculator in Kenya?

Accepted Answer

This Kenya PAYE calculator is a free tool for estimating take-home pay from a monthly salary. It applies KRA PAYE bands, NSSF Year 4, SHIF and the Affordable Housing Levy as of May 2026. People often search for a payee calculator — that is the same PAYE calculation. Always confirm the figure in KRA iTax or your payroll software before you pay staff.

Question 2

Is this a payee calculator or a PAYE calculator?

Accepted Answer

Both searches mean the same thing in Kenya. PAYE is Pay As You Earn. A payee calculator is the common misspelling. This page computes employee PAYE and the statutory deductions that sit around it.

Question 3

Does the calculator still use NHIF?

Accepted Answer

No. NHIF contribution bands are not applied. SHIF replaced NHIF. The calculator uses 2.75% of gross pay, with a minimum of KES 300 and no upper cap.

Question 4

What NSSF rates are used in 2026?

Accepted Answer

From February 2026, NSSF is in Year 4 of the contribution schedule. Employee NSSF is 6% of pensionable earnings: 6% of the first KES 9,000 (Tier I) plus 6% of earnings from KES 9,001 to KES 108,000 (Tier II). The employee ceiling is KES 6,480 a month. Employer NSSF is excluded from net take-home.

Question 5

Is SHIF deducted before PAYE?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Taxable income is gross minus employee NSSF, SHIF and the employee housing levy. Personal relief of KES 2,400 a month is then subtracted from tax.

Question 6

What is left out of this PAYE estimate?

Accepted Answer

Employer-side NSSF and housing levy, voluntary pension top-ups, and case-specific reliefs such as insurance, mortgage interest or disability. Those belong in a full payroll run or iTax, not in this basic calculator.

Question 7

Can Edulynk run school payroll, not only a calculator?

Accepted Answer

Yes. HR & Payroll keeps staff files, leave, PAYE, SHIF, NSSF and payslips next to the rest of school operations. The calculator is the public check; the module is the school record.