Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Migos Ogamba has strongly refuted a viral letter circulating on social media that alleges delays in payment for contracted professionals who participated in the 2025 national examinations. Julius Ogamba fake letter KNEC payments
In an official public advisory issued on Thursday, April 23, the CS termed the document as fake and warned Kenyans against spreading or relying on unverified information. According to Ogamba, the letter does not originate from the Ministry of Education and should be treated as misinformation.
“The document currently circulating is fake. I urge the public to treat it with the contempt it deserves,” Ogamba stated.
Fake Letter on 2025 KNEC Payments Sparks Confusion
The disputed letter, which bears the official Ministry of Education letterhead and the name of the CS, claims to address concerns raised by examiners involved in the 2025 national examinations managed by Kenya National Examinations Council.
In the document, it is falsely alleged that the government failed to allocate funds in the supplementary budget to facilitate payments for key examination personnel. These include supervisors, invigilators, security officers, and exam markers—roles that are critical in ensuring the credibility and smooth running of national exams.
The fake letter further claims:
- No funds were set aside in the supplementary budget
- Payment delays were inevitable due to budget constraints
- Affected professionals would be paid in the next financial year starting July 1, 2026
It also falsely suggests that the Ministry had acknowledged the vital role played by exam stakeholders and was working closely with the National Treasury to secure funds.
Ministry of Education Clarifies Position
Despite the claims made in the viral document, the Ministry of Education has distanced itself from the communication, reiterating that it did not issue such a statement. The clarification comes amid growing anxiety among teachers and examiners awaiting payment for services rendered during the 2025 examination period.
The Ministry emphasized the importance of verifying official communication through credible government channels to avoid confusion and panic among stakeholders in the education sector.
KNEC Also Flags Similar Fake Notice
This is not the first time misinformation regarding examiner payments has surfaced. Recently, the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) also dismissed another fake notice that had gone viral online.
The earlier fake statement claimed that KNEC had already received funds from the National Treasury but was facing delays in disbursing payments due to incomplete or missing personnel data.
The misleading notice read in part:
“KNEC wishes to inform the contracted professionals that the board has received the money from the National Treasury. However, it will take a long time to process payments as some data of the contracted professionals is missing.”
KNEC later clarified that the information was false and urged stakeholders to rely only on official communication channels for accurate updates.
Payment Delays for 2025 Examiners Raise Concerns
The issue of delayed payments for teachers and professionals who participated in marking the 2025 national exams has continued to generate concern across the country. Thousands of teachers have expressed frustration over unpaid dues months after completing their assignments.
The matter has attracted the attention of the Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT), which has taken a firm stance on the issue. The union has warned that failure to settle the pending payments could disrupt future examination processes.
KNUT Threatens Boycott of 2026 National Exams
In response to the ongoing delays, KNUT has threatened industrial action, including a boycott of supervision and marking of the 2026 national examinations. The union argues that continued delays undermine teachers’ morale and compromise the integrity of the education system.
According to KNUT officials, timely payment of examiners is essential to ensure smooth administration of national exams and maintain professionalism among educators.
Julius Ogamba fake letter KNEC payments
Rising Cases of Fake Government Communication
The emergence of fake letters and notices highlights a growing problem of misinformation, particularly on social media platforms. Experts warn that such false communication can easily mislead the public, create unnecessary panic, and damage trust in public institutions.
Government agencies, including the Ministry of Education and KNEC, have urged Kenyans to:
- Verify information before sharing
- Rely on official government websites and verified social media accounts
- Report suspicious or misleading content
Conclusion
As concerns over examiner payments persist, the Ministry of Education continues to assure stakeholders that official updates will be communicated through the right channels. Meanwhile, the public is encouraged to remain vigilant and avoid spreading unverified information.
The controversy surrounding the payment of 2025 national exam personnel remains unresolved, but what is clear is that fake news is complicating an already sensitive issue. Stakeholders now await clear communication from relevant authorities regarding when payments will be made and how similar misinformation will be prevented in the future.
