The Ministry of Education, in partnership with the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC), has officially launched the 2026 national examination season, deploying over 342,000 security and administrative officials to oversee assessments for an estimated 3.6 million candidates nationwide.
Speaking during the official launch ceremony at the KNEC headquarters in Nairobi, Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba and KNEC Chief Executive Officer Dr. David Njeng’ere outlined the logistical, security, and administrative frameworks established to protect the integrity of the national exercise. This year’s assessment season incorporates candidates sitting for the Kenya Primary School Education Assessment (KPSEA for Grade 6), the newly introduced Kenya Junior School Education Assessment (KJSEA for Grade 9 under the Competency-Based Curriculum), and the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE for Form 4).
“We have mobilized a multi-agency team—including security personnel, center managers, supervisors, and invigilators—to ensure that every examination container is guarded and every paper administered seamlessly,” [CS Ogamba stated during the rollout]. “Any attempt to compromise the integrity of these examinations will be met with immediate administrative and legal sanctions.”
KNEC CEO Dr. David Njeng’ere confirmed that 342,005 contracted personnel have been accredited and assigned to examination centers across the country. Under the refined distribution protocol, double-locking mechanism containers housed at sub-county headquarters will open simultaneously under the joint supervision of Deputy County Commissioners and Sub-County Directors of Education to mitigate early paper leaks.
The examination cycle kicks off with practical and rehearsal sessions for secondary and junior school assessments, followed by main written papers slated to run through late October and November across all 47 counties. To cushion schools in regions facing early rainfall, the government has enlisted Kenya Police Airwing and Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) helicopter units to airlift materials to flood-prone hubs.