2025 KCSE kicks off nationwide with more than 996,000 candidates sitting exams

KCSE candidates during past exams. (Photo: File/KNEC)

By Lucy Mumbi
Tuesday, October 21, 2025

The tests will commence with oral papers for foreign and sign languages including French, German, Arabic and Kenyan Sign Language, before practical examinations begin on October 22 and run through to October 31. Written papers will follow from November 4 to November 21.

More than 996,000 candidates will on Tuesday, October 21, 2025, begin their Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examination, marking the official opening of this year’s national assessment season.

According to the timetable, the tests will commence with oral papers for foreign and sign languages including French, German, Arabic and Kenyan Sign Language, before practical examinations begin on October 22 and run through to October 31. Written papers will follow from November 4 to November 21.

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The KCSE will then be followed by the Kenya Junior School Education Assessment (KJSEA) and the Kenya Primary School Education Assessment (KPSEA), which will be conducted concurrently next week for three days.

KNEC Chief Executive Officer David Njengere confirmed that a total of 996,078 candidates have registered for KCSE this year. He added that 1,298,089 candidates will sit for KPSEA, while 1,130,669 learners, the pioneers of the Competency-Based Education (CBE) system, will sit the inaugural KJSEA.

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

He noted that while security officers will be limited to key logistical roles in KPSEA and KJSEA, each KCSE examination centre will have at least two security officers to safeguard exam integrity.

“Over the last two years, we have successfully addressed the challenge of early exposure to the exams. To further ease this process, KNEC has installed an additional 25 storage containers in sub-counties, bringing the total number to 642, up from 617 last year,” Njengere added.

To manage the KCSE process, KNEC said it will deploy 10,765 centre managers, 12,126 supervisors, 54,782 invigilators and 22,247 security officers. Additionally, 2,692 drivers will assist in logistics, particularly in regions affected by poor roads and rains.

KNEC Chairman Prof Julius Nyabudi assured the country that all preparations were complete, noting that fairness and transparency will guide the entire process.

“Preparations in readiness for the 2025 national examination and assessments are complete. We have put in place measures to ensure that learners’ performance reflects their true effort. In discharging our duties, we must uphold fairness, transparency, and integrity to maintain the credibility of our education system,” he said.

Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba issued a stern warning against any form of malpractice during the national exams saying no one will be spared.

“We will have no mercy on anyone who will be found engaging in any form of malpractice. All candidates, centre managers, supervisors and invigilators must comply with examination regulations, failing which they will face the full force of the law,” Ogamba warned.

KNEC has maintained that all systems are in place to ensure a credible and seamless process despite the logistical and financial challenges facing schools.

The 2025 national examination cycle, covering KCSE, KJSEA and KPSEA, will run for over a month, engaging more than 3.4 million learners across the country under tightened security and strict monitoring measures.