The Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) in Vihiga County has asked the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) for an urgent meeting on low allowances and delayed payments for teachers administering the 2026 KCSE examinations. KUPPET Vihiga Branch Executive Secretary Charles Otiende made the request on 6 November 2026. He said the branch had received no response from KNEC to issues teachers raised before the examinations began.
What the Vihiga branch said
Mr Otiende said teachers had indicated that they would not take up examination duties unless their concerns were addressed. The branch made itself available for talks on 6 November and heard nothing from KNEC. Teachers have agreed to continue their duties. They want union leaders to keep negotiating with KNEC until the grievances are resolved.
The branch raised three issues:
- Low allowances. Teachers say the allowances are too low for the work involved.
- Late payment. Mr Otiende said teachers who administered last year’s examinations waited about nine months for their allowances.
- Welfare costs. Under the current arrangement, schools meet teachers’ welfare costs during the examination period. Mr Otiende said some institutions, especially those with low capitation, lack the resources to do so.
About 400 teachers are administering KCSE in Vihiga County as centre managers, deputy centre managers and supervisors. Mr Otiende asked the KNEC Chief Executive Officer to convene an urgent meeting.
The national dispute behind the request
The Vihiga request follows a wider KUPPET dispute with KNEC over examination pay. On 14 October 2026, KUPPET’s Governing Council directed members to withdraw from examination administration, supervision and marking. It cited low pay, poor working conditions and unpaid arrears from earlier examinations.
KUPPET is demanding a minimum flat rate of KSh 4,000 per day for supervisors and related officials. It also wants at least KSh 100 for marking a single script. The union asked the Salaries and Remuneration Commission to review the compensation framework.
KNEC’s timetable put KCSE rehearsals on Friday 16 October. The oral and practical papers began on Monday 19 October.
What the government has said on arrears
The Ministry of Education has said the balance of marking allowances for examiners of the 2025 KCSE and KJSEA has been disbursed. The payments followed the National Treasury’s release of KSh 1.5 billion on 7 July 2026.
That statement covers marking allowances for the 2025 cycle. The Vihiga branch’s complaint concerns payment for administering examinations.