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KUPPET has issued a-14-day ultimatum over delayed KNEC dues, SHA concerns, failure to which it will call on strike.
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KUPPET Murang’a County Executive Secretary Thomas Kimani expressed deep frustration on behalf of teachers, exam supervisors, invigilators, centre managers, deputy centre managers, police officers, and drivers who were involved in the national examination process.
The Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) has once again placed the government on notice over persistent delays in paying allowances owed to contracted professionals who played a central role in the administration of the 2025 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examinations.
The union has warned that failure to resolve the matter within 14 days could trigger industrial action that may disrupt the country’s secondary school calendar.
Speaking on Tuesday, June 30, 2026, KUPPET Murang’a County Executive Secretary Thomas Kimani expressed deep frustration on behalf of teachers, exam supervisors, invigilators, centre managers, deputy centre managers, police officers, and drivers who were involved in the national examination process.
According to the unionist, these officers have waited for more than seven months for their dues, despite the fact that the payments were already budgeted and approved within government expenditure frameworks.
“It is inconceivable to imagine that teachers will continue to take up the demanding duty of manning examinations without remuneration.” He said
At the heart of the dispute is what KUPPET describes as a growing pattern of delayed compensation for critical examination personnel, a situation the union says is not only financially straining but also morally demotivating.
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The union’s ultimatum directed at the Kenya National Examinations Council calls for the immediate release of all pending payments.
KUPPET argues that the delay undermines trust in the system and risks weakening the motivation of educators who already operate under challenging conditions.
The union further warns that continued neglect of teacher welfare could have wider implications, including reduced efficiency in future examination processes and potential resistance from education personnel during high-stakes national assessments.
Beyond the issue of KCSE allowances, the union also raised concerns about the implementation of the Social Health Authority (SHA), citing confusion and dissatisfaction among its members regarding deductions, access to services, and the broader rollout of the new health financing structure.
SHA has been tasked with replacing the previous national health insurance framework, but its transition has been met with mixed reactions from public sector workers, including teachers who feel inadequately consulted or informed.
According to the union, these combined grievances reflect a broader governance challenge in the management of public sector welfare, where policies are announced and implemented without sufficient alignment with ground realities.
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Education stakeholders have warned that if the situation is not urgently addressed, the threat of industrial action could escalate into a full-blown disruption of learning in secondary schools.
The tension also highlights recurring friction between teachers’ unions and government agencies over remuneration and working conditions.
Over the years, examination administration has relied heavily on the goodwill of teachers and support staff, who often work under strict timelines, high pressure, and logistical challenges, especially in remote or underserved regions.
Despite repeated assurances from authorities that examination payments will be prioritised, delays have persisted, raising questions about efficiency in public finance management and accountability within implementing institutions.
The current standoff has therefore become not only a labour issue but also a test of administrative responsiveness and credibility in the education sector.
By Hillary Muhalya
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