Education Cabinet Secretary, Julius Ogamba, says teachers who worked as invigilators, supervisors, centre managers and examiners will be paid their dues by end of this week.
Ogamba dismissed claims that Knec has not received funding for paying contracted professionals in the supplementary budget.
“Supplementary budget has been passed. We now have the resources. We apologize for the delays. Knec has paid their casual staff and drivers but the main officials have not been paid. We are looking for the exchequer next (this) week,” said CS Ogamba on 11th April during a Kisii University event which was captured in Gusii radio and TV stations.
President William Ruto is expected to tour the Gusii region soon and the CS is on a preparatory mission.
There were speculations that Knec has postponed the payment of 2025 contracted professionals till after July budget cause it did not receive funding..
A source close to the Council had said teachers will have to wait after the July budget before they can be paid their Knec dues.
President William Ruto had on Wednesday 8th April assented to the Supplementary Appropriations Bill, 2026, at State House Nairobi making it a law which increased total government expenditure by sh 393 billion from sh 4.3 trillion to sh 4.69 trillion.
“It aligns the national budget to address urgent and emerging priorities, including critical security operations, disaster response, and strategic infrastructure investments,” Ruto had said.
The education sector received sh 45.28 billion instead of sh 66 billion which had earlier been proposed.
Basic Education Principal Secretary, Julius Bitok, had called for speedy approval of the sh 66 billion supplementary budget after pressure piled for Knec to pay invigilators.
Bitok had urged MPs to approve the funding which he had said will be used to pay Knec invigilators, school capitation and ASAL school feeding programme.
Surprisingly this budget was downsized heavily affecting key budgetary allocations.
Breakdown of Education Sector funding in the Supplementary Budget
sh 24.2 billion allcoated to TSC to cover salary shortfalls and teachers SHA contributions
sh 4.1 billion for HELB
sh 3.88 billion to clear 2017 – 2021 university salary arrears and to support TVET Wings to Fly programme
sh 6 billion for higher education for Moi and Kabarnet university
sh 1.5 for university funding board
sh 3 billion for TSC pending bills for tecahers medical cover
sh 2.6 billion for Kenya – China TVET project phase III
Knec recently refuted a viral post dated 8th April, which had claimed the Council has received funding from the National Treasury for paying invigilators and examiners their dues.
Some union officials have threatened to storm the Knec Mitihani House to demand immediate payment of exam invigilators.
Both Knut and Kuppet, have also threatened to boycott the 2026 national exams and assessments unless a lasting solution on payment of invigilators is found.
Each year Knec contracts professionals who assist in the national exercise. They include teachers, drivers and security personnel.
Though Knec does not pay for services rendered by teachers in exam centres, it reimburses transport fares after national exams are concluded, marked and results released to the public.
Some teachers have previously complained to the Council after missing payment when payment of dues was done.
Knec says the delays are mostly due to data mismatches and documentation.
“Delays have in some cases been linked to data mismatches, documentation requirements (such as properly signed and stamped attendance registers), and verification processes necessary for accurate payment disbursement. We urge those affected to confirm that their details in the Contracted Professionals (CP2) system match their official identification and mobile money registration information to facilitate processing,” said Knec.