Nairobi, Kenya | July 31, 2026

Teachers' unions have threatened to boycott the administration, invigilation and marking of the 2026 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examinations over delayed payment of outstanding allowances. The unions argue that thousands of teachers who participated in the 2025 national examinations are yet to receive their full dues despite repeated government assurances.

The Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) and the Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) have warned that their members will not supervise, invigilate or mark this year's examinations unless the arrears are paid in full. Union officials say the delays have demoralised teachers and undermined confidence in the examination payment system.

The officials said teachers have grown frustrated by recurring payment delays despite playing a critical role in safeguarding the credibility of national examinations. The unions are also calling for improved examination allowances, arguing that the current rates do not reflect the workload and responsibilities involved.

The Ministry of Education has previously indicated that part of the outstanding payments had been released through the National Treasury, with the remaining balances expected after verification by the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC). However, the unions insist that only full payment—not promises—will persuade teachers to participate in the upcoming examination exercise.

With preparations for the 2026 national examinations already underway, education stakeholders are urging both the government and teachers' unions to resolve the dispute quickly to avoid disruptions that could affect thousands of KCSE candidates nationwide.