Exam Boycott Looming: KUPPET Orders Teachers to Withhold Services Over Sh1.5 Billion Payment Arrears

NAIROBI, Kenya — A major disruption to the 2026 national examination calendar appears increasingly likely as the Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) has officially called on its members to boycott invigilation and marking duties until outstanding dues are settled.

KUPPET National Chairperson Omboko Milemba issued the ultimatum, declaring that teachers will no longer offer their services to the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) as “charity.”

The union is demanding the immediate release of approximately Sh1.5 billion owed to teachers for services rendered during the 2025 national examinations and assessments.

The Treasury-Ministry Blame Game

The strike threat follows a confusing public dispute between the Ministry of Education and the National Treasury regarding the source of the payment deficit.

Previously, Basic Education Principal Secretary Prof. Julius Bitok had attempted to calm frayed nerves by claiming he had consulted President William Ruto, assuring teachers that their dues would be cleared by the end of May.

However, that assurance has been flatly contradicted by Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi.

Speaking during an interview on Ramogi TV on Wednesday, May 13, CS Mbadi distanced the Treasury from the payment crisis, asserting that all funds allocated to the Ministry of Education have already been disbursed.

“Regarding the disbursement of funds meant for the national examination council, teachers should ask the Ministry of Education. We already disbursed the budget allocated to the Ministry of Education,” Mbadi stated.

“If it is inadequate to pay the KNEC contracting professionals, then there is no additional allocation for it since we already disbursed what Parliament approved for the education sector.”

CS Mbadi maintained that the Treasury retains no funds meant for the education sector, placing the burden of accountability squarely on the shoulders of the Ministry of Education.

Teachers Question KNEC’s Priorities

The frustration among teachers is compounded by the fact that KNEC recently received a Sh9.9 billion allocation.

However, the Council has indicated that this funding is strictly earmarked for the preparation of the 2026 national examinations and assessments, leaving the 2025 debt unpaid.

Adding to the teachers’ ire is the perception of selective payment.

While thousands of primary and secondary school teachers remain unpaid, KNEC has successfully settled dues for other contracted professionals, including:

• Supervisors of Teacher Training College (TTC) assessments.
• Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) examiners.
• Security personnel and drivers involved in examination logistics.

The Stand-Off

KUPPET’s directive for a boycott is a significant escalation.

With national examinations being the bedrock of the country’s academic calendar, a refusal by teachers to act as invigilators, supervisors, or examiners threatens to paralyze the entire assessment system.

“Teachers have rendered their services, and it is a violation of labor rights to keep them waiting for over a year for their pay,” Milemba noted.

“Until a clear consensus is reached and the money is in their accounts, there will be no invigilation or marking of this year’s exams.”

As the end of May approaches—the deadline promised by PS Bitok—the government faces mounting pressure to resolve the Sh1.5 billion deficit.

For now, the Ministry of Education has yet to issue a formal response to CS Mbadi’s remarks, leaving thousands of teachers in a state of uncertainty as they prepare to stand their ground.