Fresh crisis at KNEC as exams staff seek Sh1.2b

Kenya National Examination(KNEC) CEO Joseph Kavilu at Jogoo House yesterday 24/10/15-BEVERLYNE MUSILI

The troubled examinations council has not paid 200,000 professionals contracted during the administration of last year’s Kenya Certificate of Primary Education and Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education examinations, their dues.

The hired staff are yet to be paid weeks after the National Treasury released some Sh1.2 billion to the Kenya National Examination Council (Knec).

And the delay could take longer because, according to a senior council staff, the cheque is ready but it has not been signed.

“Only a substantive Chief Executive Officer can sign the cheque yet the CEO Joseph Kivilu was suspended until further notice,” said the official.

Mr Kivilu was suspended this week alongside eight other senior management staff to pave way for investigations into increased examination irregularities.

Fast track payment

Knec board Thursday appointed Mercy Karogo the acting CEO. Board chairperson George Magoha said Ms Karogo will serve as CEO as search for a permanent candidate continues.

Kenya National Union of Teachers (Knut) and the Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (Kuppet) officials yesterday asked the new board to fast track the payment.

“Whether the new board is there or not, we want to know when these teachers will be paid because we have reliable information that the money is available,” said Kuppet Secretary General Akelo Misori.

He said the new board should realise the teachers were contracted professionals whose contract must be honoured in time.

“These teachers are getting demotivated and it shall affect their future engagements. It is April and none of them has been paid. This is wrong,” said Mr Misori.

Knut Secretary General Wilson Sossion said all teachers hired by the Knec to facilitate administration of national examinations are paid their dues immediately after results are released.

“Many weeks after the release of examinations they are yet to be paid and this is unacceptable,” said Mr Sossion.