Nairobi, Kenya – Kenya’s 2025 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examinations began smoothly on Monday, with nearly one million candidates nationwide sitting for the national tests. Education Cabinet Secretary Dr. Julius Ogamba urged students to maintain integrity and warned that any malpractice would attract strict legal consequences. To safeguard the credibility of the exams, the government has deployed extensive security measures, including police and military support, while introducing digital innovations like smart padlocks on examination containers.
The start of the KCSE exams comes amid challenging weather conditions, with heavy rains and mudslides affecting regions such as Elgeyo Marakwet and Trans Nzoia counties. The government has deployed helicopters to airlift exam materials to hard-to-reach areas, ensuring no candidate misses their papers. Dr. Ogamba also confirmed that a candidate injured in recent mudslides was able to sit for the exam from Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital, highlighting the ministry’s commitment to inclusivity. Alongside the KCSE, over three million learners nationwide are registered for other national assessments, including the Kenya Primary School Education Assessment (KPSEA) and the Kenya Junior School Education Assessment (KJSEA), the latter being introduced this year under the Competency-Based Curriculum.
Education stakeholders and officials praised the meticulous coordination between the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC), Teachers Service Commission (TSC), and security agencies. New measures this year, including a ban on mobile phones for exam personnel, anonymized papers, and limited supervisor rotation, aim to enhance transparency and fairness. While the exams mark the last cohorts under the 8-4-4 system, Dr. Ogamba emphasized that safeguarding the integrity of national assessments is critical to maintaining Kenya’s educational standards and international reputation. The ministry also called on striking university lecturers to return to dialogue, underscoring the need to protect students’ academic progress.