More than 800 examiners assigned to mark English Paper 2 downed their tools on Sunday after staging demonstrations at Mary Hills Girls’ High School, one of the official marking centres.
The teachers accused the government of failing to honour agreed payments weeks after the exercise began.
The examiners say they started marking scripts nearly three weeks ago but are yet to receive their coordination allowance. Each examiner is owed KSh5,000, money they insist should have been paid within five days of reporting for duty.
Videos circulating online showed frustrated teachers gathered at the centre chanting and demanding immediate payment. Some could be heard saying they would not continue marking unless their dues are settled.
“We cannot continue working under these conditions. Things are not good and we should be paid now,” one examiner said during the protest.
The teachers maintained that they will not resume marking until the Ministry of Education releases the funds. Their action has raised concerns over possible delays in the release of KCSE results, although officials have not yet issued an official response to the strike.
The KCSE marking exercise is scheduled to end on Monday, December 15. Last month, the Ministry of Education confirmed that the 2025 KCSE results are expected to be released in January 2026.
This year’s KCSE examination recorded one of the highest candidate numbers in recent history, with 996,078 students sitting the national tests across the country.
Any prolonged disruption to the marking process could therefore have wide-reaching consequences for candidates, parents, and schools.
The protest comes amid heightened scrutiny of the national examination process. Just two weeks ago, the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) dismissed claims that exam results were being manipulated.
In a statement issued earlier this month, KNEC warned the public about fraudsters posing as council officials and offering to alter exam results for a fee.
The protest comes amid heightened scrutiny of the national examination process. Just two weeks ago, the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) dismissed claims that exam results were being manipulated.
In a statement issued earlier this month, KNEC warned the public about fraudsters posing as council officials and offering to alter exam results for a fee.
The council revealed that some individuals had created WhatsApp groups and online channels to target parents and students with false promises of score manipulation.
KNEC strongly denied any involvement in such schemes and reminded the public that all examination scripts are anonymised during marking.
According to the council, examiners do not know the identity of candidates whose scripts they are marking, a system designed to protect integrity and fairness.
The council urged parents and candidates to ignore anyone claiming they can influence KCSE results, warning that such claims are fraudulent.
KNEC strongly denied any involvement in such schemes and reminded the public that all examination scripts are anonymised during marking.
According to the council, examiners do not know the identity of candidates whose scripts they are marking, a system designed to protect integrity and fairness.
The council urged parents and candidates to ignore anyone claiming they can influence KCSE results, warning that such claims are fraudulent.
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