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Union officials warn that failure to pay 2025 exam officials promptly could create serious challenges during the recruitment of examination personnel for the 2026 examinations.
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They note that the success of national examinations largely depends on the willingness of teachers to take up additional responsibilities beyond their normal classroom duties.
A looming crisis is threatening preparations for the 2026 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examinations as thousands of teachers who served as exam officials last year remain unpaid, prompting growing concern among education stakeholders and teachers’ unions.
The delay has sparked frustration among teachers across the country, with unions warning that the situation could negatively affect the recruitment and motivation of examination personnel ahead of the 2026 examination cycle.
According to education stakeholders, the government had committed to settling the payments before the end of June. However, many teachers say they have received neither the promised allowances nor clear communication regarding when the funds will be disbursed.
Teachers argue that examination administration is a demanding exercise that requires weeks of preparation, coordination and commitment.
Beyond supervising candidates, examination officials are entrusted with the secure handling of examination materials, enforcing examination regulations and ensuring the credibility of the national assessment process.
Many affected teachers say the prolonged delay has left them disappointed and financially strained. Some had planned their personal finances around the expected payments, while others feel their efforts and professionalism have not been adequately recognized.
Teacher unions have now stepped up pressure on the government, urging the National Treasury, the Ministry of Education and the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) to expedite the release of the outstanding funds.
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Union officials warn that failure to resolve the issue promptly could create serious challenges during the recruitment of examination personnel for the 2026 examinations. They note that the success of national examinations largely depends on the willingness of teachers to take up additional responsibilities beyond their normal classroom duties.
“There is growing dissatisfaction among teachers. If these concerns are not addressed, many may be reluctant to participate in future examination exercises,” said an education stakeholder familiar with the matter.
The concerns come at a time when preparations for the next examination cycle are expected to begin in earnest. Schools across the country are already intensifying academic programmes aimed at preparing candidates for the 2026 national examinations.
Education experts caution that any disruption in the recruitment or deployment of examination officials could have far-reaching consequences for the administration of the examinations. They emphasize that examination integrity depends heavily on the commitment, morale and professionalism of the officials involved.
The reported unpaid dues, estimated at about Ksh1.5 billion, have become a major talking point within the education sector, with many stakeholders questioning why the payments have taken so long to reach the beneficiaries.
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While the government has previously maintained that the funds are being processed and that all legitimate claims will be honoured, teachers say patience is running out.
As pressure continues to mount, stakeholders are calling for urgent intervention to ensure all outstanding allowances are paid and confidence restored before preparations for the 2026 KCSE examinations gather momentum.
With less than four months before candidates sit the next national examinations, many in the education sector believe that resolving the payment dispute quickly will be critical to safeguarding the smooth administration of one of the country’s most important academic exercises.
By Kimwele Mutuku
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