The Unified Human Resource (UHR) portal is the centralized platform where Kenyan government employees and civil servants access their monthly payslips, update their personal details, and manage their Staff Performance Appraisal System (SPAS). If you are looking for the official UHR payslip login portal, you can access it directly at https://uhr.kenya.go.ke/.
Whether you are a new employee trying to register for the first time, a long-serving civil servant transitioning from the older GHRIS system, or someone trying to recover a forgotten password, this guide covers everything you need to know about navigating the UHR payslip portal in Kenya.
What is the UHR Portal?
The Unified Human Resource (UHR) system is an upgraded Human Resource Information System (HRIS) developed by the Government of Kenya. It is designed to act as a “from entry to post-exit” one-stop-shop for all human resource management within the government.
Historically, Kenyan civil servants used the Government Human Resource Information System (GHRIS) via www.ghris.go.ke. While GHRIS is still operational for certain functions and login routes, the government has been steadily migrating payroll and HR management to the modernized UHR portal.
Who Uses the UHR Portal?
The system serves hundreds of thousands of public sector workers across Kenya, including:
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Employees in Ministries and State Departments
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County Government staff (both Executive and County Assemblies)
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State Corporations and Semi-Autonomous Government Agencies (SAGAs)
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Constitutional Commissions and Independent Offices
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Uniformed Services (such as the National Police Service)
UHR Payslip Login: Step-by-Step Guide
Downloading your payslip from the UHR system is a straightforward process once your account is active. Here is how to log in and access your current and past payslips.
Step 1: Visit the Official Portal
Open your web browser (Google Chrome, Firefox, or Safari) and go to the official portal: https://uhr.kenya.go.ke/. Ensure you are connected to a stable internet connection.
(Note: Sometimes the portal may display an SSL certificate warning. If you are using a secure private network, you may need to click “Advanced” and “Proceed” to access the site, though the government IT department regularly updates these security certificates.)
Step 2: Enter Your Login Credentials
On the homepage, you will see a login box requiring two main details:
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User-ID: This is your official payroll number (often referred to as your Employment Number, P/N, or Personal Number).
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Password: The password you created during registration.
Important Security Note: The password box on the UHR portal is highly case-sensitive. This means “Password”, “PASSWORD”, and “password” are treated as entirely different entries. Ensure your Caps Lock key is off unless your password specifically requires capital letters.
Step 3: Access the Payslip Menu
Once you have successfully logged in, you will be redirected to your personal dashboard. Navigate to the main menu and look for the “My Payslip” or “Payroll Returns” tab.
Step 4: Select the Month and Year
Choose the specific month and year for the payslip you wish to view. The system archives your previous payslips, making it easy to retrieve records from previous financial years.
Step 5: Download and Print
Click “View Payslip”. The document will open in a PDF format. You can click the download icon to save it to your phone or computer, or the print icon to print a hard copy directly. You will need this downloaded PDF if you are applying for bank loans, mortgages, or SACCO dividends.
How to Register on the UHR/GHRIS Portal (For New Employees)
If you are a newly employed civil servant or county government worker, your details must be captured in the system before you can generate a payslip.
Requirements for Registration
Before you begin the registration process, ensure you have the following documents and information ready:
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Your official Employment Number (P/N)
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National Identity Card (ID) number
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KRA PIN Certificate
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NHIF/SHIF and NSSF numbers
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Active email address and mobile phone number
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Bank account details (where your salary is channeled)
Registration Steps
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Visit the registration portal (usually routed through the GHRIS portal at
www.ghris.go.keunder “New Employee? Register Here”). -
Fill out the initial registration form with your Personal Number, ID number, and KRA PIN.
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Provide your current email address and a strong, memorable password.
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Once you submit the form, a verification link will be sent to your email.
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Click the link to verify your account, after which you can log in and complete your detailed employee profile.
Your HR department at your specific Ministry or County must approve and upload your payroll data before your payslip becomes visible on your dashboard.
Resetting a Forgotten UHR Password
Forgetting your UHR or GHRIS password is one of the most common issues faced by public sector workers in Kenya. Fortunately, recovering your account is simple.
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Go to the UHR login page at
https://uhr.kenya.go.ke/. -
Below the login fields, click on the “Forgot your Password?” link.
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You will be prompted to enter your User-ID (Personal Number) and the email address associated with your account.
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The system will send a password reset link to your email.
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Open your email, click the reset link, and type in a new, strong password. Remember to mix uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols.
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Log in using your new password.
If you no longer have access to the email address you registered with, you will need to contact your Ministry or County HR department to manually update your contact details in the system.
Decoding Your Kenyan Government Payslip
When you download your UHR payslip, it contains various technical terms and abbreviations. Understanding what each section means is crucial for managing your personal finances and tracking your statutory deductions.
1. Basic Salary
This is your flat base pay according to your job group and civil service grade before any allowances are added or deductions are made.
2. Allowances
Depending on your job group, location, and specific duties, you may be entitled to several allowances, which are added to your basic salary to make up your Gross Pay. Common allowances include:
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House Allowance: Varies depending on your job group and whether you live in a municipality (like Nairobi, Mombasa, Nakuru) or a rural area.
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Commuter Allowance: Meant to cover daily transport to and from work.
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Hardship Allowance: Paid to civil servants working in designated marginalized or hardship areas.
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Leave Allowance: Paid once a year (usually in your birth month or the month you proceed on annual leave).
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Risk/Extraneous Allowance: Paid to essential workers, such as medical practitioners and security personnel.
3. Statutory Deductions
These are mandatory deductions required by Kenyan law. Recent changes in government policies have significantly updated these deductions:
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PAYE (Pay As You Earn): Your income tax remitted to the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA). The amount depends on your tax bracket.
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SHIF/SHA: The newly introduced Social Health Insurance Fund (which replaces the National Health Insurance Fund – NHIF). The deduction is set at 2.75% of your gross salary.
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Housing Levy: The Affordable Housing Levy deducts 1.5% of your gross salary, which is matched by your employer.
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NSSF (National Social Security Fund): Mandatory pension contributions divided into Tier I and Tier II depending on your earning bracket.
4. Voluntary Deductions and Recoveries
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SACCO Contributions: Monthly shares, deposits, or loan repayments channeled directly to your registered Savings and Credit Cooperative Organization (e.g., Harambee Sacco, Stima Sacco, Police Sacco).
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Bank Loans: Direct check-off system deductions for commercial bank loans.
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Union Dues: Contributions to bodies like KNUT, KUPPET, or the Union of Kenya Civil Servants (UKCS).
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HELB: Repayment for the Higher Education Loans Board if you benefited from a university loan.
5. Net Pay
This is the final amount deposited into your bank account after all statutory and voluntary deductions have been subtracted from your gross pay. (Note: The government enforces a “One-Third Rule,” ensuring that your net pay cannot fall below one-third of your basic salary).
Generating Your KRA P9 Form on UHR
Between January and June every year, Kenyan employees must file their annual tax returns on the KRA iTax portal. To do this accurately, you need your P9 form, which summarizes your yearly earnings and the total PAYE deducted.
You do not need to visit your HR office to get this form; it is available directly on the UHR portal.
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Log into
uhr.kenya.go.ke. -
Navigate to the “P9 Forms” or “Tax Returns” section on the main menu.
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Select the specific financial year (e.g., 2025).
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Click “Generate” and download the PDF document.
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Use the exact figures on this form to fill out your KRA iTax returns.
GHRIS vs. UHR: What is the Difference?
Many civil servants are still confused about the difference between GHRIS (ghris.go.ke) and UHR (uhr.kenya.go.ke).
GHRIS is the legacy system built to centralize government HR processes. Over the years, it handled payslips, the Staff Performance Appraisal System (SPAS), and staff establishment data.
UHR (Unified Human Resource System) is the modernized, upgraded version of the platform. The government initiated the UHR system to offer better security, handle higher traffic capacities without crashing (especially at the end of the month), and integrate more seamlessly with other state payroll databases.
Currently, both URLs might remain active depending on your specific state department, but the primary payroll self-portal for payslips has officially transitioned to UHR.
Updating the Staff Performance Appraisal System (SPAS)
Aside from downloading payslips, the portal is deeply integrated with the civil service appraisal framework.
All employees in Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) are required to update their Performance Targets and be evaluated electronically. The SPAS forms (PSC 37a and PSC 37b) are filled out online.
Failure to update your SPAS can negatively impact your promotions, annual increments, and overall career progression within the civil service.
Troubleshooting Common UHR Portal Issues
Navigating government portals can sometimes be frustrating. Here are common issues users face on the UHR system and how to fix them:
1. “Invalid User ID or Password”
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Cause: You typed your P-Number incorrectly, or your password has case-sensitivity errors.
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Fix: Double-check your spelling. Ensure there are no accidental spaces before or after your User ID. If you still can’t get in, use the “Forgot Password” feature.
2. Portal Taking Too Long to Load / Timed Out
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Cause: Heavy traffic. This usually happens between the 25th and 30th of the month when hundreds of thousands of civil servants are logging in simultaneously to check if their salaries have reflected.
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Fix: Try logging in during off-peak hours, such as early morning (before 7:00 AM) or late at night.
3. Missing Payslip for the Current Month
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Cause: Your specific Ministry or County HR department has not yet finalized the payroll run for that month, or the system is still updating.
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Fix: Be patient. Payslips are usually uploaded a few days after salaries are disbursed. If it takes longer than a week, contact your departmental HR office.
4. “Your Connection is Not Private” (SSL Error)
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Cause: The website’s security certificate has expired.
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Fix: On Google Chrome, click on “Advanced” at the bottom of the error page, then click “Proceed to uhr.kenya.go.ke (unsafe)”. The government IT team typically resolves these certificate renewals periodically.
5. Account Locked
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Cause: Entering the wrong password multiple times will lock your account for security reasons.
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Fix: You will need to wait a few hours for the system to automatically unlock, or contact the helpdesk to manually reset your status.
Contacting the UHR Helpdesk
If you encounter technical issues that you cannot resolve using the troubleshooting steps above, you should reach out to the official government helpdesk.
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Telephone Helpdesk: 020-2227411 (Extension 174)
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Official Email Support:
hris.kenya@psyg.go.keorghrishelp@psyg.go.ke
For issues specifically relating to missing allowances, incorrect job groups, or unknown deductions, do not contact the technical helpdesk. Instead, visit your direct HR officer or payroll manager at your workstation.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can I access my UHR payslip on my phone?
Yes. The UHR portal (uhr.kenya.go.ke) is accessible via mobile browsers. You can log in, view, and download your payslip as a PDF directly to your smartphone.
Is UHR the same as GHRIS?
UHR is the modernized and upgraded version of GHRIS. While some legacy services still redirect through the old GHRIS domain, UHR is the primary platform for the HRIS-Kenya payroll self-portal.
Why is my net pay lower than last month?
Fluctuations in net pay are usually caused by new statutory deductions (such as the transition from NHIF to SHIF, or changes in the Affordable Housing Levy), annual PAYE adjustments, or the initiation of a new check-off loan/SACCO deduction. Check the “Deductions” column on your payslip for clarity.
How do I get my P-Number?
Your Personal Number (P/N) is issued by your employer (the government) upon successful employment and deployment. You can find it on your appointment letter or by asking your local HR office.
Can third-party organizations access my payslip?
No. Third-party organizations like banks, SACCOs, micro-finance institutions, and insurance companies cannot directly log into your UHR portal. You must personally download the payslip and provide it to them when applying for facilities.
Disclaimer: This guide is for informational purposes to help users navigate the UHR portal. For official payroll disputes, always consult your respective Human Resource department or the Ministry of Public Service.
Tags: UHR Kenya, GHRIS Payslip, Kenya Civil Service, KRA P9 Form, Government Payroll Kenya, PesaDeals Opportunities
To see a visual walkthrough of the portal, you can check out this How to Check Your Payslip Online in Kenya. This video provides a step-by-step breakdown of accessing both the GHRIS and UHR systems, which is especially helpful if you are navigating the portals for the first time.