The administration of the 2026 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examinations faces possible disruption after the Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) threatened to withdraw its members from examination duties over what it terms inadequate remuneration.
With national examinations fast approaching, the union has directed teachers to boycott all assignments organised by the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC), including examination supervision, centre management and marking, until their payment rates are reviewed.
KUPPET is demanding a minimum daily allowance of Sh4,000 for supervisors and other examination officials, alongside at least Sh100 for marking an individual examination paper, arguing that the current rates do not reflect the professional responsibilities, workload and pressure associated with administering national examinations.
Secretary-General Akelo Misori has urged teachers to stay away from all KNEC assignments until the government addresses their grievances, warning that the union could disrupt the entire 2026 examination exercise if no agreement is reached.
"We are asking our members to sit back and not participate in any exam conducted by the Kenya National Examination Council," Misori said.
The dispute comes as KNEC prepares to administer national examinations and assessments to millions of learners across primary, junior and senior school levels. According to the examination timetable, KCSE rehearsals are scheduled for Friday, October 16, with oral and practical examinations beginning on October 19 and written papers running from November 2 to November 20. Rehearsals for the Kenya Primary School Education Assessment (KPSEA) and Kenya Junior School Education Assessment (KJSEA) are scheduled for October 23, ahead of written examinations beginning on October 26.
Under the existing payment structure, KCSE supervisors earn between Sh630 and Sh680, centre managers receive Sh500 to Sh550, while invigilators are paid between Sh430 and Sh510. Examiners also receive daily allowances of Sh150, with marking rates generally ranging from Sh35 to Sh75 per script.
KUPPET national chairman Omboko Milemba said teachers should not undertake examination-related assignments until the union and KNEC reach an agreement on better terms. The union has also questioned accommodation arrangements at marking centres, claiming that some examiners are subjected to overcrowded sleeping facilities and inadequate bedding.
KUPPET has called on the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) to intervene urgently and facilitate a review of the allowances before the examinations begin.
The standoff places pressure on KNEC and the relevant government agencies to engage the union and avert a dispute that could affect the deployment of examination personnel and the timely marking of candidates' scripts. A resolution before the first papers are administered would be critical to ensuring that the national examination calendar proceeds without disruption.
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