The warning comes from the Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET), which has renewed its demand for better remuneration and improved working conditions for teachers involved in national examination marking.
According to Citizen Digital, the union's National Vice Chairman, Julius Korir, warned on Sunday, November 8, that teachers could withdraw their services if the government fails to address their concerns.
KUPPET argues that the current payments do not reflect the amount of work, time and commitment required from teachers during the national examination marking exercise.
The union is now calling on the Ministry of Education and the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) to review the existing allowances before the marking exercise proceeds.
Mary Rotich, the union's National Assistant Treasurer, warned that failure to resolve the dispute could disrupt the marking process and potentially delay the release of examination results.
The latest warning has raised fresh concerns among candidates and parents, particularly as the 2026 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examinations continue across the country.
The Star previously reported that KUPPET had directed its members to stay away from KNEC examination assignments, including supervision, administration and marking, over disagreements surrounding their remuneration.
The union has maintained that teachers deserve better compensation for the responsibilities they undertake during national examinations.
In its demands, KUPPET is seeking a minimum daily payment of Sh4,000 for examination supervisors and other related officials, alongside at least Sh100 for marking an individual examination paper.
Daily Nation has also reported on the disagreement, highlighting concerns over the allowances paid to teachers and the possibility of disruption to the national examination process.
The publication previously reported that examination markers receive between Sh35 and Sh75 for marking individual scripts, depending on the examination paper.
Teachers have argued that the payments are inadequate considering the professional responsibilities involved and the time spent at examination marking centres.
The Standard also reported on October 26 that KUPPET had threatened to mobilise its members to boycott examination supervision and marking unless KNEC engaged the union in discussions over improved payments.
The disagreement has persisted despite previous government efforts to settle outstanding examination-related payments.
In July 2026, the National Treasury released Sh1.5 billion to facilitate payment of outstanding allowances owed to teachers who participated in marking the 2025 KCSE and KJSEA examinations.
However, the latest dispute concerns the broader remuneration structure and working conditions for teachers participating in the 2026 examination exercise.
People Daily had also reported in October that KUPPET Secretary-General Akelo Misori warned that members would not participate in the marking exercise unless the payment disagreements were resolved.
The union has consequently maintained pressure on KNEC and the government to negotiate better terms before the marking process begins.
Meanwhile, the 2026 KCSE written examinations are scheduled to run until November 20, according to the published examination timetable.
With thousands of candidates awaiting their results, any disruption to the subsequent marking exercise could create uncertainty around the examination results timeline.
The latest developments now place pressure on the Ministry of Education, KNEC and teachers' representatives to find common ground before the marking exercise gets underway.
For candidates and parents, the biggest concern is whether the disagreement will be resolved in time to prevent possible delays.
Will the government reach an agreement with teachers before the KCSE marking exercise begins, or could the 2026 examination results face delays?
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