NAIROBI, Kenya- The 2025 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) officially begins today, marking a major milestone for nearly one million candidates across the country.
The Kenya National Examination Council (KNEC) has confirmed that all preparations are complete following nationwide rehearsals held on Friday.
“We are fully prepared to ensure a credible and transparent examination process,” said KNEC CEO David Njengere.
According to KNEC, 996,078 students will sit for the KCSE exam this year.
Additionally, 1,298,089 learners are set to take the Kenya Primary School Education Assessment (KPSEA) next week, while another 1,130,669 will sit for the Kenya Junior School Education Assessment (KJSEA).
Candidates begin today with orals for French, German, Arabic, and Kenyan Sign Language, followed by practical exams scheduled between Wednesday and Friday, October 31.
Tightened Security and New Measures
To enhance efficiency, KNEC has increased its exam material storage containers from 617 in 2024 to 642 this year — a move aimed at easing distribution and minimizing delays.
Meanwhile, Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba has issued a stern warning against any form of cheating or malpractice.
“The government will take lawful action against anyone found compromising the integrity of the exams,” he said.
The KCSE remains one of the most closely monitored national exercises, often seen as a reflection of Kenya’s education standards. This year’s process comes amid growing confidence in digitized monitoring systems and stronger coordination between KNEC, security agencies, and county education offices.
