Marking of the 2025 KCSE examinations has been disrupted after hundreds of examiners suspended work over unpaid allowances, increasing pressure on education authorities as the exercise enters the final stretch.
Over 800 teachers marking English Paper 2 at Mary Hills Girls High School laid down their tools and took to protests on Sunday, December 1, to demand for the payment of coordination allowances that they say have remained unpaid weeks into the marking process.
The examiners, who began marking scripts nearly three weeks ago, said they repeatedly raised the issue with officials but heard nothing clear about when the money would be availed.
Videos from online sources show visibly agitated teachers who have gathered within the marking centre compound, chanting and calling for immediate payment. “Things are not good; we should be paid now,” some could be heard shouting, reflecting growing frustration among the educators.
The examiners said the government had to pay each of them KSh5,000 in coordination allowances within five days of the start of marking a commitment they say has not been honoured.
The teachers vowed not to resume marking until the issue is resolved, creating fears of possible delays, even as the KCSE marking exercise, which was scheduled to conclude on Monday, December 15.
The standoff occurs at a time when the education sector is considered to be at a critical point. Close to a million candidates-996,078 candidates sat the KCSE examinations this year, making it one of the largest cohorts in recent history. The Ministry of Education confirmed last month that results are expected to be released in January 2026.
The strike also happens in the wake of recent concerns about examination integrity. Just two weeks ago, the KNEC denied claims that it had tampered with the results of the recently concluded exams.
In a statement on Wednesday, 3rd December, KNEC warned parents and candidates of fraudsters masquerading themselves as council officials, promising to alter exam results for a certain fee.
The council explained that some individuals were creating WhatsApp groups and channels and asking unsuspecting parents for money to edit the scores. KNEC explained that all the answer scripts are anonymised throughout the processing of marking to secure the candidates’ identities and retain the integrity of the examinations.
As tensions simmer at marking centres, the focus now shifts to the government to move with alacrity and address the grievances of the examiners to avert further delay of a process that determines the future of close to a million candidates.