MPs and Senators Push KNEC to Act as TSC Stays Silent on Retooling Allowances

Teachers contracted by the Kenya National Examination Council (KNEC) for the 2024 KPSEA and KCSE examinations are finally breathing a sigh of relief. Following pressure from MPs and senators, KNEC began disbursing long-overdue allowances on Friday, a move that continued through the weekend.

Teachers Celebrate Long-Awaited Payments

Social media was flooded with celebratory messages from teachers on Friday and Saturday, as KPSEA and KCSE invigilators, supervisors, and centre managers received their payments. KCSE markers also reported receiving positive notifications yesterday morning.

Grateful teachers from Kisumu, Kericho, and West Pokot thanked their legislators for intervening.

“Our MPs and senators have come to our rescue. Imagine having to beg for what you’ve worked for—it’s demoralizing,” lamented a teacher from Kericho.

JSS Teachers Left in the Cold as TSC Delays Retooling Allowances

While KNEC-contracted teachers celebrate, Junior Secondary School (JSS) teachers who attended retooling workshops in December 2024 remain frustrated. As of yesterday, the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) had yet to disburse their allowances, raising serious concerns.

Many JSS teachers are now demanding answers on why KNEC managed to pay its staff while their dues remain pending.

“We plan to urge our MPs and senators next week to investigate how KNEC found the funds to pay our colleagues while we are still waiting,” said an irate JSS teacher from Kisumu County.

Delayed Payments Affect Teachers’ Morale

Teachers attending retooling sessions often pay out of pocket for transport and accommodation, especially when training venues are far from their homes. The continued delays are causing growing dissatisfaction.

With the next phase of retooling scheduled for next month—targeting 20,000 newly recruited JSS teachers—TSC is under pressure to release the pending allowances before frustrations escalate further.