Teachers’ unions have threatened to withdraw their support for the administration of the 2026 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examinations unless the government clears billions of shillings owed to teachers who supervised last year’s national tests.
The warning comes just four months before the 2026 KCSE examinations, raising concerns over the preparedness and smooth coordination of the nationwide exercise.
The Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) on Friday, July 31, said thousands of teachers who participated in the 2025 KCSE examination process are yet to receive their payments despite the Ministry of Education releasing Ksh1.5 billion towards settling the outstanding allowances.
Sources familiar with the matter indicated that the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) requires an additional Ksh4 billion to fully clear the pending payments owed to examination officials.
KUPPET Secretary General Akello Misori said teachers have lost confidence in KNEC over delayed payments, warning that many educators are considering skipping this year’s examination administration exercise until their dues are settled.
“Our teachers have clearly expressed misgivings about taking part in this and, in fact, the majority of them are threatening that they will not take part in this exam administration, which we clearly agree with,” Misori said.
The union leader said delayed payment of examination allowances has become a recurring challenge, leaving teachers frustrated despite their critical role in protecting the credibility and integrity of national examinations.
Misori also criticised the current compensation structure for teachers involved in examination administration, arguing that the allowances do not reflect the workload, time and responsibilities required.
Before 2024, examination invigilators received Ksh400 per day, supervisors earned Ksh450, while centre managers were paid Ksh500 daily. The allowances were increased by Ksh50 across the three categories in 2025.
The KUPPET official compared the payments with earnings in other sectors, including construction, saying teachers involved in examination management deserve better compensation for their services.
“Most of these exams are being managed by monies which are not even given to construction workers. Construction workers leave the site with not less than Ksh1,000 per day,” he said.
The unions are now urging the government to release the remaining funds required by KNEC and review examination allowances to ensure teachers are paid promptly and fairly.
They have maintained that educators cannot continue overseeing national examinations without timely payment and improved compensation for the demanding role they play in the assessment process.