The Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) in Vihiga County says teachers who administer the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examinations are paid too little, and paid late. County Executive Secretary Charles Otiende said the union will keep engaging the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) until the concerns are resolved.
Otiende made the remarks at the opening of the examination containers at the County Commissioner’s offices.
KNEC feedback awaited
Otiende said teachers had raised their grievances before the examinations began. Some had said they would not take up examination duties unless the issues were addressed. KUPPET officials went to the opening of the containers expecting a reply from KNEC, and none had been given.
The teachers have nevertheless agreed to carry out their examination duties. They asked union leaders to keep negotiating with KNEC on the payment concerns.
Payments for 2025 duties took about nine months
KUPPET says teachers waited about nine months to receive their allowances for the 2025 KCSE examination duties. Otiende cited this as the main example of the delays teachers have faced.
The Ministry of Education has acknowledged delays in paying contracted examination professionals this year. Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba said the delays arose from budgetary and cash flow constraints. KNEC Chief Executive Officer David Njengere confirmed a payment schedule for contracted 2025 examination officials, with payments starting on 6 August 2026.
Schools left to meet teachers’ welfare costs
Otiende also raised the welfare of teachers during the examination period. Schools have been left to cater for it, even though they face financial constraints.
He said schools that receive low capitation find this hardest. They struggle to support the teachers who administer the examinations.
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KUPPET calls for an urgent meeting
KUPPET wants the KNEC Chief Executive Officer to convene an urgent meeting to discuss and resolve the issues teachers have raised over time. Otiende said the union will keep consulting KNEC.
Teachers involved in Vihiga County
Vihiga County has about 400 teachers administering the national examinations. They include centre managers, deputy centre managers and supervisors.