The Kenya National Educational Assessments Council Bill, 2026, aims to restrict teachers and personnel involved in national examinations from striking during assessment periods.
Introduced by Majority Leader Kimani Ichung'wah, the bill targets individuals engaged in managing, organizing, or administering national assessments. It seeks to prevent industrial actions that could jeopardize the integrity, security, and orderly conduct of exams.
Key Provisions of the Bill
- Clause 60 limits the right to strike for those directly involved in exams, including invigilators and examiners.
- Strikes may be prohibited if they threaten the integrity or security of assessments, the rights of participants, or disrupt exam order.
- The bill does not impose a total ban on all teachers but focuses on those with exam-related duties.
This legislative move comes amid threats by teachers’ unions to boycott the 2026 national exams in protest of unpaid allowances amounting to Ksh 1.5 billion for services rendered during the previous year’s assessments.
While the Ministry of Education confirmed disbursement of some funds, teachers insist payments remain outstanding. Meanwhile, the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) has pledged to release remaining allowances starting August 13, 2026.
The bill is pending debate in the National Assembly and could become law upon approval by Parliament.
