The Kenya National Examinations Council (Knec) is under fire for continued delay in paying 2025 contracted professionals.
Thousands of teachers who worked as invigilators, supervisors, centre managers and examiners took to social media to protest the prolonged delay by Knec.
Some teachers have threatened to never take part in the future invigilation exercise again should the examiner continue withholding their dues.
This is despite assurance by Cabinet Secretary Julius Migos Ogamba that the teachers will be paid soon.
Ogamba had assured teachers that he is working to address delays in paying their allowances.
He said delays in the disbursement of allowances have arisen from budgetary and cash flow constraints currently affecting the release of funds.
“We wish to assure all affected professionals that payment remains a priority. The Ministry, in collaboration with the National Treasury, is actively working to resolve the matter and expedite the release of the requisite funds within the shortest time possible,” he said.
In a statement dated 12th February, the CS acknowledged the legitimate concerns raised by teachers regarding the delayed payment.
He said the ministry recognises the critical role played by the supervisors and invigilators, security personnel, examiners and other contracted professionals in safeguarding the integrity, credibility, and timely delivery of national assessments.
“Their contribution remains central to the successful execution of the national examinations calendar”.
He said the ministry appreciates the patience, professionalism, and continued cooperation of all contracted personnel during this period.
“Moving forward, we commit to safeguard timely payment to our contracted professionals,” he added.
Thousands of examiners were engaged to oversee the three national examinations conducted last year, namely the Kenya Primary School Education Assessment (KPSEA), Kenya Junior School Education Assessment (KJSEA), and the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE).
Although they completed their duties and the results were released on time, the examiners have not yet received their pay.
The marking of the 2025 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examinations at one point was thrown into uncertainty after examiners at marking centres downed their tools over the delayed payment of allowances.
The action raised concerns about possible disruptions to the release of results.
Last year’s KCSE examinations attracted one of the largest cohorts in recent history, with a total of 996,078 candidates sitting the national exams.
At Mary Hill Girls High School, one of the 40 official KCSE marking centres across the country, examiners handling English Paper 2 staged demonstrations, protesting what they termed as the government’s failure to pay their coordination allowances.
The protests brought the marking process to a standstill at the centre, with the examiners vowing not to resume work until their demands are met.
According to the protesting teachers, a total of 867 examiners deployed to the Mary Hill centre have not received their allowances since arriving at the facility on November 30.
They said the delay has caused frustration and financial strain, forcing some to cater for upkeep costs out of their own pockets.