KNEC warns parents over social media scams to alter KCSE, KJSEA scores

KNEC warns parents over social media scams to alter KCSE and KJSEA scores. (KNEC)

By Lucy Mumbi
Thursday, December 4, 2025

KNEC has warned parents, teachers and candidates about social media scams claiming to alter KCSE and KJSEA results, stressing anonymised marking and urging the public to report suspicious approaches.

The public has been warned against online fraudsters claiming they can manipulate national examination results, with the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) cautioning that the schemes are increasingly targeting anxious parents and candidates during the marking period.

In an alert, the Council said it had received reports of individuals posing as exam “insiders” and soliciting money in exchange for promises to alter scores for the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) and Kenya Junior School Education Assessment (KJSEA).

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“Beware of fraudsters purporting to be able to alter candidates’ scores during marking of the KCSE examination or KJSEA. Please note that all candidates’ answer scripts are anonymised to protect their identity and ensure integrity during marking. Do not fall prey to fraudulent activities on social media,” KNEC said.

According to the Council, the scams have spread across social media platforms, including fake WhatsApp groups and channels where fraudsters impersonate examiners, solicit personal information and promise “grade editing slots” for a fee. Officials say the schemes mirror previous years’ tactics that prey on families awaiting results.

The warning comes as the Ministry of Education prepares to release the 2025 Kenya Primary School Education Assessment (KPSEA) and KJSEA results in December, with KCSE results expected in January 2026.

A total of 996,078 candidates sat this year’s KCSE, while 1,298,089 pupils undertook KPSEA and 1,130,669 Grade 9 learners completed the inaugural KJSEA under the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC). In total, KNEC oversaw examinations and assessments for 3,424,836 learners countrywide.

The KJSEA, held from October 27 to November 3, marked the first national assessment for junior school learners under CBC, designed to support their transition to senior school.

Last month, Basic Education Principal Secretary Julius Bitok announced that the KJSEA results would be released by December 11, with Grade 10 selection finalised before Christmas. He said the ministry was committed to ensuring learners report to senior school on January 12, 2026.

Marking for the KCSE, which concluded on November 21, is currently underway in 40 centres staffed by more than 32,000 examiners. On the final day of examinations, Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba monitored the process in Nyamira Sub-County, noting what he described as a “seamless and credible process.”

KNEC Chief Executive Officer David Njengere reiterated the Council’s position that altering results is impossible due to the anonymisation system, which conceals candidates’ identities until after marking is complete.

Parents, teachers and candidates have been urged to ignore unsolicited messages offering to manipulate results and to report suspicious activity through official Knec channels.