Nairobi, Kenya – October 7, 2025

Kenya has entered one of its busiest academic seasons, as more than 960,000 candidates began the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examinations this week. The national tests, which signal the culmination of four years of secondary schooling, started with oral papers in foreign and sign languages.

Candidates across the country are now being examined in German, French, Arabic, and Kenyan Sign Language — subjects that mark the opening phase of the three-part national assessment period.

A Marathon of Examinations

The Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) announced that practical exams will follow from October 22 to 31, before the written papers begin on November 4 and continue through November 21, 2025.

But KCSE is only part of a much larger national exercise. Primary and junior school learners will sit for their Kenya Primary School Education Assessment (KPSEA) and Kenya Junior School Education Assessment (KJSEA) later this month.

According to KNEC’s timetable, both assessments will run concurrently from October 27 to 29, with rehearsals set for October 24.

Record Number of Candidates

KNEC Chief Executive David Njengere recently confirmed that 996,078 candidates had registered for the KCSE. He added that 1,130,669 learners — the first cohort under the Competency-Based Education (CBE) system — will take the KJSEA, while 1,298,089 candidates will sit for KPSEA.

“In total, 3,424,836 candidates will undertake national examinations and assessments this year,” said Dr Njengere. “The field administration began on October 17 and will end on November 21, 2025.”

Tightened Security and Integrity Measures

To protect the integrity of the exams, KNEC has stepped up security measures nationwide. The Council has added 25 new examination storage containers, bringing the total to 642 across the country — up from 617 last year.

“Over the last two years, we have successfully addressed the challenge of early exposure to the exams,” Dr Njengere noted. “To further ease this process, KNEC has installed additional storage containers in sub-counties.”

The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) and KNEC have also deployed vetted teachers to serve as invigilators and supervisors, ensuring strict adherence to exam protocols.

At every KCSE examination centre, at least two security officers have been stationed to maintain order and protect materials from tampering or leaks.

A National Effort

Across Kenya, the start of the exams has drawn wide attention, as families, schools, and officials rally behind millions of learners. Education leaders say the smooth running of this year’s assessments is crucial — not only for fairness but also for confidence in Kenya’s evolving education system.

As the first scripts are handed in, the country now settles into several intense weeks that will determine the next steps for nearly 3.5 million young learners.