- More than 230,000 professionals were contracted to administer Kenya’s 2025 national examinations, yet many remain unpaid months after completing their assignments.
- Delayed remuneration risks lowering morale, discouraging experienced personnel and exposing the examination system to unnecessary integrity challenges.
- Prompt payment is not only fair but also essential to protecting the credibility of national examinations.
The Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) relies on thousands of contracted professionals—including invigilators, supervisors, examiners, centre managers and security personnel—to safeguard the integrity of national examinations. Their work demands professionalism, vigilance and unwavering ethical standards. Yet many of these professionals continue to wait for payment months after completing their assignments.
Reports indicate that more than 230,000 professionals were contracted to administer the 2025 Kenya Primary School Education Assessment (KPSEA), Kenya Junior School Education Assessment (KJSEA) and Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examinations. To date, only about a quarter are reported to have received their payments despite the National Treasury releasing KSh1.5 billion to facilitate the settlement of outstanding claims.
Persistent delays in remuneration undermine the morale of examination officials. When professionals perform demanding and high-stakes duties without receiving their earnings on time, they may feel undervalued and lose motivation to uphold the highest standards of integrity.
The administration of national examinations requires constant vigilance, attention to detail and impartiality. A demoralised workforce is less likely to maintain the level of commitment expected during such a sensitive national exercise.
Financial hardship increases ethical risks
Financial strain can also expose examination officials to unnecessary ethical pressures. While the overwhelming majority of contracted professionals remain honest despite payment delays, prolonged financial hardship may increase the temptation for a small minority to accept inducements or cooperate with individuals seeking unfair advantages.
Even isolated incidents can undermine public confidence in Kenya’s examination system and cast doubt on the credibility of examination results.
Repeated payment delays also discourage experienced professionals from accepting future assignments. As qualified personnel withdraw, KNEC may increasingly rely on less experienced officials who require additional training and supervision, potentially weakening the effectiveness of examination administration.
Teacher welfare and examination integrity go together
Delayed payments send an unfortunate message that the work of examination professionals is not adequately valued. Yet these officials are entrusted with protecting the future of millions of learners and maintaining the credibility of one of Kenya’s most important public institutions.
Prompt remuneration should therefore be viewed not as an administrative obligation but as an essential component of examination security.
To strengthen public confidence, KNEC should prioritise timely payment of all contracted professionals, communicate clear payment timelines and establish efficient mechanisms for resolving payment delays. Transparency throughout the payment process would also reassure those who dedicate their time and expertise to national examinations.
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Protecting examination integrity requires more than strict regulations and security measures. It also requires supporting the professionals who implement those measures. Paying examination officials promptly is both a matter of fairness and a strategic investment in the credibility, security and integrity of Kenya’s national examinations.
By Kaptich Tarus.
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