Big payday for teachers as government initiates payment for 2022 KNEC Examiners

The Kenyan government has started the long-awaited process of paying the dues owed to examiners, contracted officials, and suppliers.

The payment will however only target those involved in the 2022 Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) activities.

The announcement came during an address at Kangaru School in Manyatta Constituency, Embu County by Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu.

Machogu announced that the council has commenced the payment of contractors who constructed Competence Based Curriculum (CBC) classes. Payment would also target teachers involved in the marking of national examinations.

The total amount to be disbursed is Ksh2.5 billion.

CS Machogu has also assured that nearly 1,950 contractors across the country have already received their payments. He also asked those who haven’t received their dues advised to visit the County Director of Education for remuneration.

“Nearly 1,950 contractors who constructed the CBC classes countrywide have been paid from last week. If you haven’t received your dues, you may visit the County Director of Education so that you may be remunerated,” he remarked.

The delay in payment was attributed to a cash crunch at the council. This led to the pending bill being held for over seven months after the completion of the exercise.

Machogu also emphasized that timely payment to examiners will be prioritized to prevent similar delays in the future.

The payment to teachers who supervised, invigilated and marked the 2022 national exams had been pending without a clear confirmation of when the dues would be paid.

KNEC had hired 28,408 teachers as centre administrators, 28,727 as supervisors, 74,990 as invigilators, and 5,647 as examiners for the 2022 exams.

The supervisors for Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) earn Ksh2,485 per day, while invigilators receive Ksh1,615 per day. Security officers earn Ksh1,050 per day, and drivers earn Ksh1,040.

The 28,408 hired KCSE centre managers are paid Ksh9,000 per day for 18 days, totaling Ksh36,000.

Earlier in the year, Nominated Senator Esther Okenyuri had raised concerns in the Senate about non-payment. She sought clarification from the government on the prolonged delay in releasing the funds.

Furthermore, Machogu announced that the Ministry of Education will be employing an additional 24,000 teachers in the current financial year. This is in addition to the 36,000 teachers employed last year.