KNEC Under Fire Over Delayed 2025 Examiner Payments as Teachers Threaten Boycott

The Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) is facing mounting pressure over delayed payment of thousands of contracted professionals who supervised and marked the 2025 national examinations.

Teachers who served as invigilators, supervisors, centre managers and examiners have taken to social media to protest what they describe as “unacceptable delays” in the release of their allowances. Some have warned they will boycott future national exam exercises if their dues are not paid promptly.

CS Julius Ogamba Responds to Payment Delays

Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Migos Ogamba acknowledged the delays in a statement dated February 12, assuring affected professionals that the government is working to resolve the issue.

According to Ogamba, the delay has been caused by budgetary and cash flow constraints affecting the release of funds from the National Treasury.

He emphasized that payment remains a priority and promised that the Ministry of Education is collaborating with Treasury to expedite disbursement.

The CS further recognized the critical role played by examiners, supervisors, and security personnel in safeguarding the integrity and credibility of national examinations.

KPSEA, KJSEA, and KCSE Examiners Yet to Be Paid

The delayed payments affect professionals who oversaw key national assessments, including:

Kenya Primary School Education Assessment (KPSEA)
Kenya Junior School Education Assessment (KJSEA)
Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE)

Despite successfully conducting and releasing results for the examinations, many contracted teachers say they are yet to receive their allowances.

KCSE Marking Disrupted at Mary Hill Girls

The situation escalated when examiners at Mary Hill Girls High School one of the 40 official KCSE marking centres staged demonstrations over unpaid coordination allowances.

A total of 867 examiners marking English Paper 2 reportedly downed their tools, temporarily bringing the marking process to a halt. The protest sparked fears of possible delays in the release of KCSE results.

Last year’s KCSE registered 996,078 candidates, one of the largest cohorts in recent history, increasing the pressure on examiners working under tight timelines.

Teachers Cite Financial Strain

Affected teachers say the prolonged delay has caused significant financial strain, with some forced to cover accommodation and upkeep costs from their own pockets while on national duty.

As frustration grows, all eyes are now on KNEC and the Ministry of Education to deliver on their promise of timely payments or risk further disruption in Kenya’s examination calendar.

The unfolding situation continues to generate nationwide debate, with many Kenyans calling for urgent reforms to protect contracted education professionals.