The Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) has moved to calm concerns among teachers involved in marking the 2025 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) exams, assuring examiners that all coordination fees will be paid before they leave their assigned marking centres.
In a statement released late Sunday, December 14, KNEC dismissed reports suggesting that some examiners had completed their work and exited marking centres without receiving their allowances. The council said all examiners who have finished marking and departed have already been fully paid.
“Our attention has been drawn to reports that some 2025 KCSE examiners left marking centres without being paid their coordination fees. We wish to clarify that all examiners who have completed the marking exercise and left the centres have been fully paid,” KNEC said.
According to the examinations body, teachers marking several subjects including Physics Paper 2, Biology Papers 1, 2 and 3, Agriculture Papers 1 and 2, Chemistry Paper 3, and Computer Studies Paper 2 have already received their allowances.
KNEC further emphasised that payment is processed before examiners are cleared to leave the centres, reiterating its commitment to integrity and efficiency in the national examinations process.
“All examiners for all papers will be paid the coordination fees before they leave the marking centres. KNEC remains committed to quality educational assessment and credibility,” the council added.
The clarification follows protests by more than 800 examiners marking English Paper 2 at Mary Hills Girls’ High School, who staged demonstrations earlier in the week over delayed payments. Videos circulating online showed teachers demanding immediate payment, with some chanting that conditions were “not good” and insisting on being paid before resuming work.
The teachers, who began marking about three weeks ago, said they were entitled to Ksh5,000 in coordination fees and expressed fears that they might leave the centres without compensation. Some threatened to withdraw from the exercise if payment delays persisted.
The KCSE 2025 marking exercise is expected to conclude on Monday, December 15. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Education has already confirmed that the KCSE results will be released in January 2026.
