Frontier Eye Desk
Nairobi, Kenya.
The 2025 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examinations officially began today across the country, with the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) reaffirming its commitment to fairness, transparency, and integrity in the national assessment process.
Following successful nationwide rehearsals held on Friday, KNEC announced that all logistical preparations have been finalized to ensure a smooth and secure examination period.
The exams commenced with oral assessments in subjects such as French, German, Arabic, and Kenyan Sign Language. Practical examinations will follow from Wednesday through Friday, October 31, marking the first phase of the month-long assessment calendar.
KNEC Chief Executive Officer David Njengere confirmed that a record 996,078 candidates are sitting this year’s KCSE. In addition, the Council is also overseeing two major national assessments — the Kenya Primary School Education Assessment (KPSEA) for 1,298,089 pupils and the Kenya Junior School Education Assessment (KJSEA) for 1,130,669 learners — both scheduled to begin next week.
This week’s examination timetable.
To strengthen exam security and improve efficiency in the distribution of materials, KNEC has increased the number of storage containers from 617 last year to 642 across the country.
Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba issued a stern warning against examination malpractice, emphasizing that the government will not tolerate any breach of regulations.
“We are fully committed to upholding the integrity of the examination process. Anyone found engaging in malpractice will face the full force of the law,” said Ogamba.
The start of this year’s KCSE exams has been met with optimism from educators and parents, who praised KNEC’s enhanced logistical measures and the government’s renewed commitment to maintaining credibility in national examinations.