The 2025 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examinations officially kicked off across the country on Tuesday, marking a defining moment for thousands of Form Four candidates.
The Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) assured Kenyans that all preparations are complete to ensure a transparent and credible process. Rehearsals were conducted on Friday, ahead of the oral and practical exams that started this week.
According to KNEC Chief Executive Officer David Njengere, a total of 996,078 candidates are sitting for this year’s KCSE exams. French, German, and Arabic candidates began with oral papers, while Music and Kenyan Sign Language students commenced their practical assessments. The written papers are scheduled to start on November 4 and conclude on November 21.
To enhance efficiency, KNEC increased the number of exam storage containers from 617 in 2024 to 642, ensuring smoother distribution of materials nationwide. “We have successfully addressed the challenge of early exposure to exams over the past two years,” Njengere noted.
In total, 3,424,836 candidates will sit for various national examinations and assessments this year, including 1,298,089 learners in the Kenya Primary School Education Assessment (KPSEA) and 1,130,669 in the Kenya Junior School Education Assessment (KJSEA). The CBC tests are expected to begin next week.
KNEC has deployed 10,765 centre managers, 12,126 supervisors, 54,782 invigilators, and 22,247 security officers to oversee the process. An additional 2,692 drivers will assist with logistics, particularly in areas affected by rough terrain and heavy rains.
Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba warned that any form of exam malpractice will not be tolerated. “We will have no mercy on anyone found engaging in cheating,” Ogamba cautioned, urging all stakeholders to uphold examination integrity.
Results are expected before the end of the year to allow a smooth transition to universities and colleges.
