Teachers Halt KCSE Exam Marking in Protest over Delayed Allowances
A section of Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examiners have gone on strike over unpaid allowances, raising concerns over possible disruptions to the ongoing marking of the national examinations.
More than 800 examiners tasked with marking English Paper 2 downed their tools on Sunday, December 1, while stationed at Mary Hills Girls’ High School. The teachers staged demonstrations, demanding the immediate payment of their coordination allowances, which they say have not been disbursed despite weeks of work.
The examiners began marking scripts approximately three weeks ago but claim the government has failed to honour agreed payment timelines. According to the protesting teachers, they were entitled to receive coordination allowances within five days of commencing the marking exercise.
“We were promised payment, but nothing has been done,” one examiner said during the protest. “Things are not good; we should be paid now.”
Videos seen by local media show dozens of teachers gathered at the marking centre, chanting slogans and calling on authorities to address the issue without further delay. The examiners have warned that they will not resume marking until their dues are settled.
Those involved in the protest say each examiner is owed Ksh5,000 in coordination allowances. They argue that the delay has caused financial strain, especially given the long hours and strict conditions under which KCSE marking is conducted.
The KCSE 2025 marking exercise is scheduled to run until Monday, December 15. Any prolonged disruption could put pressure on timelines, although the Ministry of Education has not yet commented on whether the strike will affect the release of results.
Last month, the Ministry confirmed that KCSE results would be released in January 2026, following the completion of marking and verification processes.
This year’s examination saw a total of 996,078 candidates sit the KCSE exams, making it one of the largest cohorts in recent years and increasing the logistical demands on examiners and education officials alike.
The industrial action comes just two weeks after the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) dismissed claims that it was involved in altering results from the recently concluded national examinations.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, December 3, KNEC warned the public against fraudsters posing as council officials and offering illegal exam result manipulation services.
“The council has noted with concern an emerging scheme where individuals are creating WhatsApp groups and channels, claiming they can alter examination results in exchange for money,” KNEC said.
The council stressed that all answer scripts are anonymised throughout the marking process, a measure designed to protect candidates’ identities and safeguard the integrity of national examinations.
KNEC urged parents and students to ignore such claims and report any suspicious activity to the authorities, reiterating that examination results cannot be edited or influenced once scripts are submitted for marking.
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Teachers Halt KCSE Exam Marking in Protest over Delayed Allowances