Relief for Educators: Govt Disburses Sh1.5 Billion to Clear Outstanding Examiner Allowances
In a long-awaited development that brings closure to a period of uncertainty and financial strain, the government has officially commenced the disbursement of outstanding allowances to thousands of teachers and professionals who participated in the 2025 national examinations and assessments.
The Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC), acting under the direction of the Ministry of Education, has successfully credited the accounts of examiners, supervisors, and invigilators who played a pivotal role in the administration and marking of the 2025 Kenya Junior School Education Assessment (KJSEA) and the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examination.
Official Statement from the Cabinet Secretary
The breakthrough follows a formal press statement issued today, July 9, 2026, by the Cabinet Secretary for Education, Julius Migos Ogamba.
The statement confirms that the funds—totaling Ksh. 1.5 billion—were secured from the National Treasury to settle the remaining balances for all contracted professionals.
REPUBLIC OF KENYA
MINISTRY OF EDUCATION
OFFICE OF THE CABINET SECRETARY
PRESS STATEMENT
For Immediate Release
Thursday, 9th July, 2026
PAYMENT OF THE 2025 KJSEA AND KCSE EXAMINERS
We are pleased to inform all examiners who participated in the marking of the 2025 Kenya Junior School Education Assessment and the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education examination, that the balance of their marking allowances has been disbursed to their respective accounts by the Kenya National Examinations Council.
This disbursement follows the receipt of Ksh. 1.5 billion from the National Treasury on 7th July, 2026, being the allocation for clearing the balance.
We commend the examiners and other contracted professionals for their professionalism, patience and continued commitment to fostering quality and credibility in our national assessments and examinations.
Signed
Julius Migos Ogamba, EBS
CABINET SECRETARY.
Ending Months of Uncertainty
The road to this payment has been arduous for the tens of thousands of educators involved in the 2025 examination cycle.
Since the completion of the marking process early in 2026, examiners had faced months of delays, fueled by budgetary constraints and cash-flow challenges within the national exchequer.
Throughout this period, the Ministry of Education and KNEC had been forced to repeatedly address “fake news” and misinformation circulating on social media regarding payment timelines.
In April and May 2026, various fraudulent circulars had suggested that payments were either cancelled or would not be forthcoming, causing significant anxiety within the teaching fraternity.
Cabinet Secretary Ogamba had consistently maintained a position of transparency, admitting to the existence of a budgetary deficit while assuring teachers that the government viewed these payments as a top priority.
His leadership in coordinating with the National Treasury to reallocate funds from the 2026/27 financial year plans was instrumental in accelerating the process.
A Recognition of Professionalism
The role of these contracted professionals cannot be overstated. From the 32,558 examiners tasked with the meticulous marking of KCSE papers to the tens of thousands of invigilators, supervisors, and security personnel, the integrity of the national education system relies on their dedication.
In his statement, CS Ogamba emphasized the government’s appreciation for the “professionalism, patience, and continued commitment” displayed by the teachers despite the extended waiting period.
The release of the Ksh. 1.5 billion serves as both a fulfillment of a contractual obligation and a gesture of good faith, signaling the government’s commitment to maintaining the credibility of the national examination calendar.
Looking Ahead: Towards Timely Compensation
The delay in 2026 became a focal point for teacher unions and stakeholders, who argued that timely compensation is essential for maintaining the morale of educators.
The events of the last six months have prompted discussions on how to prevent similar bottlenecks in the future.
Both the Ministry of Education and KNEC have indicated that they are working on long-term mechanisms to ensure that the payment of examination officials is integrated more seamlessly into the annual budget cycle.
This is intended to ensure that those who safeguard the academic future of Kenya’s students are never again left waiting for their rightful compensation.
For now, the thousands of teachers who have already begun receiving alerts on their bank accounts can finally breathe a sigh of relief, marking the end of a challenging chapter in the 2025 national examination journey.
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