The Nakuru Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) Executive Secretary aspirant has raised concern over the delayed payment of Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) contracted professionals who manned the 2025 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examinations, with calls for urgent intervention from the Ministry of Education.
Speaking yesterday in Njoro Sub-county during a charged campaign rally, Gilbert Mutai demanded that KNEC release payments to all professionals involved in the administration and delivery of the 2025 national examinations without further delay.
“Who is holding teachers’ money ?” Mutai posed. “It is insensitive and unacceptable for the government to sit on teachers’ hard-earned money when they worked diligently, day and night, to deliver credible national examination results. Teachers have bills to pay and school fees to settle, just like every other Kenyan .” He said
Mutai called on the Education Cabinet Secretary, Julius Ogamba and the KNEC Chief Executive Officer, Dr David Njengere to act decisively and ensure that all outstanding payments are effected by next week, terming the delays an injustice to professionals who upheld integrity in a high-stakes national exercise.
He specifically mentioned invigilators, supervisors, centre managers, drivers, KCSE and KJSEA examiners, as well as police officers who provided security during the examination period.
“These professionals ensured order, credibility, and confidence in our examinations last year, the least the government can do is to pay them promptly,” he said to loud applause.
ALSO READ:
More University-qualified students are opting for technical and diploma programmes, KUCCPS CEO says
Mutai further criticized KNEC for failing to review remuneration rates for its contracted professionals, noting that the last review was conducted over 14 years ago during the late President Mwai Kibaki’s administration .
“Times have changed. The cost of living has gone up, but KNEC payments have remained stagnant. KNEC must up its game and review these rates to reflect current economic realities,” Mutai added.
The rally came just days before the KUPPET Nakuru Branch elections scheduled for next weekend, February 7, elections that Mutai said are already clouded by controversy.
He alleged widespread irregularities, claiming that a significant number of his supporters had been clipped from the voters’ register and downgraded to agency fee payers, a move he described as deliberate and intended to disenfranchise them.
Despite the challenges, Mutai maintained that his campaign remains issue-driven, anchored on the welfare of teachers and restoration of dignity in union leadership.
“Teachers deserve respect, fairness, and timely compensation. Any system that frustrates them must be challenged boldly ,” he said.
As pressure mounts, attention now shifts to KNEC and the Ministry of Education to respond to the growing outcry from teachers and union leaders, with many hoping that action will be taken before patience finally runs out.
By Wesley Chelule
You can also follow our social media pages on Twitter: Education News KE and Facebook: Education News Newspaper for timely updates.
>>> Click here to stay up-to-date with trending regional stories
>>> Click here to read more informed opinions on the country’s education landscape
