By Mumo Judah
Homa Bay, Kenya, May 31, 2026
National Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi has announced that the government will release KSh1.5 billion before July 2026 to clear long-standing arrears owed to Kenya National Examinations Council examiners, in what officials say is a decisive move to end persistent delays in payments to teachers.
Speaking during a teachers’ forum in Homa Bay, Mbadi assured educators that the Treasury has already structured a financial intervention within the current budget cycle to settle the outstanding dues once and for all, targeting examiners who participated in the administration of the 2025 national examinations.
He said the funds will be disbursed directly through the relevant government channels before the end of the current fiscal planning window, adding that the government is committed to restoring confidence among teachers who have repeatedly raised concerns over delayed compensation for examination-related work.
The payment package is expected to benefit thousands of teachers who were engaged in marking and other examination duties but have experienced prolonged delays in receiving their allowances. The Treasury says the intervention is intended to address accumulated arrears that had created growing frustration within the education sector.
Mbadi further revealed that the Treasury has been working closely with the Ministry of Education to fast-track the release of the funds, noting that the initial plan had placed the expenditure within the 2026/2027 financial year. However, rising pressure from education stakeholders and teacher unions prompted an earlier settlement timeline.
The announcement marks a notable shift in the government’s previous position, where the Treasury had maintained that all approved examination-related payments had already been fully disbursed and that no additional emergency funding would be allocated to the Kenya National Examinations Council.
The earlier stance had triggered increasing tensions with teacher representatives, who warned of possible disruptions to future national examination cycles if outstanding payments were not addressed urgently. The latest directive is seen as a response to mounting pressure and the threat of industrial action by examiners.
Government officials now say the expedited payment is intended to stabilize the examination system, restore trust among teachers, and ensure smooth administration of upcoming national assessments.
Mbadi reiterated that the government considers examiners’ welfare a critical component of the education system, promising continued reforms to prevent similar payment delays in the future.
The Treasury is expected to finalize the release mechanism in coordination with education authorities in the coming weeks as preparations continue to ensure all verified beneficiaries receive their dues within the announced timeline.
