Govt releases 2025 KCSE and KJSEA examiners’ allowances after uproar over delay
By Aloys Michael, July 9, 2026Thousands of teachers who marked the 2025 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) and Kenya Junior School Education Assessment (KJSEA) examinations have finally begun receiving their long-awaited allowances after the government released Ksh1.5 billion to clear outstanding arrears.
The Ministry of Education announced on Thursday, July 9, 2026, that the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) had disbursed the balance of marking allowances to examiners’ accounts, ending nearly seven months of uncertainty that had sparked frustration among teachers across the country.
The payments follow the release of Ksh1.5 billion by the National Treasury on July 7, 2026, specifically to settle outstanding examiner claims.
“We are pleased to inform all examiners who participated in the marking of the 2025 Kenya Junior School Education Assessment and the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education examination, that the balance of their marking allowances has been disbursed to their respective accounts by the Kenya National Examinations Council,” Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Migos Ogamba said in a press statement.
The announcement marks the end of a prolonged payment dispute that had put pressure on both the Ministry of Education and KNEC, with teachers repeatedly demanding the release of their dues despite several assurances from government officials.
Treasury releases funds
According to the ministry, the payments were facilitated after the National Treasury released funds earmarked for clearing the pending balances.
“This disbursement follows the receipt of Ksh. 1.5 billion from the National Treasury on 7th July, 2026, being the allocation for clearing the balance,” Ogamba stated.
Just days before the official announcement, Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi confirmed that the Ksh1.5 billion had been released to the Ministry of Education, fulfilling a commitment he had made to members of the Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET).
Mbadi said the allocation was specifically intended to settle outstanding KCSE and KJSEA examiners’ allowances, putting to rest concerns that had emerged after previous payment timelines failed to materialise.
KUPPET jittery over delays
The delayed payments had become a major source of tension between teachers and examination authorities, prompting KUPPET to direct its members to boycott the invigilation and marking of the 2026 national examinations unless the arrears were settled.
The dispute also attracted interventions from senior government officials, including Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, who repeatedly assured teachers that the government would honour its commitment once funds became available.
The settlement is expected to ease tensions ahead of preparations for the 2026 national examinations and restore confidence among teachers contracted by KNEC.
The development comes as KNEC has already launched recruitment of assessors for the 2026 KCSE oral and practical examinations. Qualified secondary school teachers and college tutors have been invited to submit applications before the July 15 deadline.
Teachers who are yet to receive their allowances have previously been advised by KNEC to verify that their banking and personal details on the Contracted Professionals (CP2) portal are accurate to avoid payment delays arising from incorrect information.
In the statement, Ogamba commended examiners for their patience during the months-long wait.
“We commend the examiners and other contracted professionals for their professionalism, patience and continued commitment to fostering quality and credibility in our national assessments and examinations,” he said.