The Kenya National Examination Council (KNEC) has introduced smart digital padlocks in a bid to enhance the security and transparency of the 2025 national examination process. Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba announced that the new technology will be piloted in 250 examination storage containers across the country.
According to the Ministry of Education, these high-tech locks are linked directly to the KNEC command centre, allowing real-time monitoring of when each exam container is opened and closed. The move aims to curb exam malpractice and ensure the integrity of the examination process.
“These locks are linked to the KNEC command centre, allowing real-time tracking of the exact time each container is opened and locked,” said CS Ogamba.
To reinforce these measures, all individuals present at examination centres will be required to surrender their mobile phones during the distribution of exam papers. The National Police Service will continue managing security for the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE), while education officials and school heads will oversee security for the Kenya Primary School Education Assessment (KPSEA) and Kenya Junior School Education Assessment (KJSEA).
In addition, the Education CS revealed the introduction of personalized examination papers featuring each candidate’s name and a unique random number. Candidates will write answers directly in the question booklets, after which the identification section will be detached and packed separately to promote fairness and eliminate bias during marking.
For efficiency, KPSEA and KJSEA materials will be collected once daily at 6:00 a.m., while KCSE papers will be collected twice daily at 7:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m.
The 2025 exams mark the first national assessment for Grade 9 learners under the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC). KPSEA exams will run from October 27 to 29, while KJSEA will take place from October 27 to November 3, 2025.
