Record KCSE candidature pushes examiner into uncharted territory

The Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) is facing an unprecedented financial, logistical and security test as it administers the 2026 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examination.

For the first time, KCSE candidature has crossed the one-million mark, with 1,048,355 candidates registered to sit this year's examination across more than 10,000 examination centres.

The figure represents a 5.27 per cent increase from the 995,860 candidates recorded in 2025 and the 965,172 registered in 2024.

Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba described the milestone as historic, noting that the increasing candidature demonstrated the magnitude of the country's education undertaking and the responsibility of ensuring every learner progresses through the system.

"This year's examination is historic. For the first time in the history of KCSE, more than one million candidates have been registered," said Ogamba.

But behind the milestone, KNEC is faced with the administrative burden of distributing examination materials, deploying personnel, securing examination centres and ensuring that every candidate sits the papers under fair and standardised conditions.

 According to budget figures presented to Parliament, KNEC requires Sh16.6 billion to administer KCSE, KPSEA, KJSEA and school-based assessments in the 2026/2027 financial year, against an allocation of Sh9.4 billion, leaving a Sh7.2 billion shortfall.

The government has deployed more than 100,000 professionals, including centre managers, supervisors, invigilators, security officers and other support staff.

The financial challenges are compounded by the increasing sophistication of examination malpractice, particularly through mobile phones and social media platforms.

In the 2023 KCSE examination, 4,113 candidates were reported to have been involved in examination irregularities.

KNEC cancelled results in four confirmed impersonation cases, while results for another 4,109 candidates were withheld pending investigations. Additionally, 120 contracted examination professionals were implicated in facilitating malpractice.

The situation improved in 2024, when 621 candidates out of 965,501 were reported to have engaged in examination malpractice across 198 examination centres.

The offences included possession of unauthorised written materials and mobile phones, collusion, sharing examination papers on social media and impersonation.

In the 2025 examination, 1,180 candidates were found to have engaged in examination irregularities, resulting in the cancellation of their results.

The Ministry also reported 78 arrests linked to alleged circulation of examination content on social media platforms and seven cases of impersonation.

While overseeing distribution of KCSE examination papers in Starehe, Nairobi, on Monday, KNEC Chief Executive Officer Dr David Njengere said mobile phones remained a major avenue through which examination content was photographed and circulated before scheduled examination sessions.

"Mobile phones remain one of the greatest threats to the integrity of national examinations.  Personal possession or use of mobile phones by candidates and examination personnel during examination sessions is prohibited," he said.

Dr Njengere directed everyone within examination centres, including support staff, to surrender their devices once examination materials arrive at the compounds.

"Everyone must deposit their mobile phones with the supervisor, and these will be locked up in a secure place. Malpractice begins with the mobile phones we have as exam administrators immediately the exams leave the container," he said.

KNEC has also introduced additional security measures, including smart padlocks on examination storage containers, colour-coded cartons for morning and afternoon papers and personalised examination papers carrying candidates' details to help trace any leaked material.

At least two police officers are expected to be deployed at every KCSE examination centre, while a 24-hour toll-free call centre has been established to facilitate reporting of suspected malpractice.

Geographical challenges are also increasing the cost and complexity of administering the papers, particularly in North Eastern Kenya, where poor road networks, long distances and insecurity complicate the transportation of examination materials.

Ogamba said the region requires specialised transport, additional security personnel and contingency arrangements to ensure examination materials reach centres on time.

“Our priority is to safeguard candidates and examination personnel while ensuring that any disruption is addressed promptly and that affected candidates are supported in accordance with KNEC arrangements,” he said.

Ogamba said the government was working with the Ministry of Interior, KNEC and other agencies to respond to emerging challenges arising from adverse weather, insecurity and difficult terrain.

"Our priority is to safeguard candidates and examination personnel while ensuring that any disruption is addressed promptly and that affected candidates are supported in accordance with KNEC arrangements," he said.

The Cabinet Secretary added that special arrangements had been made for candidates with disabilities, those who fall ill and learners affected by emergencies to ensure they are not disadvantaged.

"Behind the record candidature are individual candidates, each with their own aspirations and circumstances. Our responsibility is to make every effort to ensure that they have a fair opportunity to sit the examination," Ogamba said.