The 2025 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examinations have officially commenced across the country under tight security and close supervision, with the Ministry of Education assuring parents, students, and teachers that the process will be smooth, credible, and free of malpractice. Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Migos Ogamba reaffirmed the government’s commitment to upholding exam integrity, even as parts of the country continue to face heavy rainfall and flooding.
Speaking on Monday morning while monitoring the distribution of examination materials, Ogamba admitted that the floods had created logistical challenges in certain regions. However, he was quick to assure the public that measures were already in place to ensure no student misses their papers. “It is true that we have challenges of floods in some parts of the country where we are administering exams,” he said. “We have put measures in place to mitigate disruptions, and we are confident that every examination paper will reach all centres safely and on time.”
According to the Ministry, helicopters, boats, and four-wheel-drive vehicles have been deployed in flood-prone areas to ensure timely delivery of examination materials. Regional education officers and county commissioners have been instructed to work closely with the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) and the National Police Service to maintain efficiency and safety throughout the examination period. A 24-hour national command centre has also been activated to monitor the situation and swiftly respond to any reports of irregularities or delays.
Ogamba emphasized that the credibility of the KCSE exams remains non-negotiable. He said the government is employing a multi-agency approach involving the Teachers Service Commission (TSC), Interior Ministry, and KNEC to safeguard the entire process—from storage to administration and collection. He further warned that any individual found engaging in examination malpractice would face severe legal consequences.
Over 900,000 candidates are sitting this year’s KCSE examinations, which began with English Paper 1 and Chemistry Paper 1 and are scheduled to end in late November. Centre managers and invigilators have been reminded to adhere strictly to examination guidelines. To curb malpractice, the Ministry introduced a new policy limiting invigilators to a maximum of three consecutive years in one examination centre.
The Education CS also acknowledged ongoing financial pressures affecting KNEC’s operations, noting that the government was working to address funding gaps to ensure the smooth continuation of exam logistics. He assured the public that these financial hurdles would not affect candidates or delay the marking process.
Parents and guardians were urged to remain calm and support their children throughout the examination period. Ogamba also appealed to students to stay focused and avoid distractions, warning that the government would not tolerate any attempts to leak or share examination content.
Despite the environmental and logistical challenges posed by the ongoing floods, the Ministry remains optimistic. The tone from Jogoo House is one of preparedness, unity, and vigilance. As candidates across Kenya settle into their examination halls, the government’s message is clear: integrity will be protected, every candidate will be given a fair chance, and Kenya’s examination system will remain a pillar of trust and excellence.
Image by Nairobi Law Monthly
