The Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) has directed its members to boycott invigilation and marking of the 2026 national examinations, saying the government has failed to clear Sh1.5 billion in arrears owed for services rendered during the 2025 exam cycle.
KUPPET said the directive will remain in force until the outstanding payments are fully settled, warning that teachers will not continue offering examination services without compensation.
The Union maintains that the delay in payment amounts to a violation of labour rights and undermines trust in government commitments.
KUPPET National Chairperson Omboko Milemba said teachers have waited for more than a year for their dues despite having fully delivered their duties during last year’s national examinations.
“Teachers have rendered their services, and it is a violation of labour rights to keep them waiting for over a year for their pay,” Milemba said.
The boycott comes amid a dispute between the Ministry of Education and the National Treasury over responsibility for the unpaid funds.
Basic Education Principal Secretary Julius Bitok had earlier assured teachers that the arrears would be cleared by the end of May following consultations with President William Ruto.
However, Treasury Cabinet Secretary (CS) John Mbadi disputed the assurance, saying all funds allocated to the education sector had already been disbursed as approved by Parliament.
“Regarding the disbursement of funds meant for the national examination council, teachers should ask the Ministry of Education. We already disbursed what Parliament approved for the education sector,” Mbadi said.
“If it is inadequate to pay the KNEC contracting professionals, then there is no additional allocation for it since we already disbursed what Parliament approved for the education sector.”
The disagreement has further strained relations between teachers and the government, with KUPPET also questioning the management of Sh9.9 billion allocated for the 2026 national examinations.
The dispute has intensified concerns among teachers, who also question how recently disbursed funds for the 2026 examinations are being utilised.
According to the union, while Sh9.9 billion has been allocated for the upcoming exams, payments have already been made to other contracted professionals, such as supervisors, examiners in technical institutions, and support staff, leaving classroom teachers unpaid.
“Until a clear consensus is reached and the money is in their accounts, there will be no invigilation or marking of this year’s exams,” Milemba said.
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