KCSE exams kick off smoothly countrywide as Education PS Kipsang assures adequate security

The 2024 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) main written exams have officially kicked off today, November 4, with candidates beginning their assessments in English and Chemistry.

This year marks a historic milestone, with a record 965,501 students registered for the exams—a significant increase from the 903,138 candidates in 2023.

By 6 a.m. on Monday, examination papers had reached all 10,755 testing centres nationwide. The Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) announced that exams will begin at 8 a.m. daily, with a second session at 2 p.m., emphasising that no extra time will be provided beyond the stipulated duration for each paper.

During the launch of the KCSE exams at Mombasa’s Provincial Headquarters, Education Principal Secretary Belio Kipsang said the government is fully prepared to ensure the exams proceed smoothly.

Education PS Belio Kipsang and TSC CEO Nancy Macharia lead the opening of a KCSE examination container at Mombasa Provincial Headquarters on November 4, 2024. (Photo: Farhiya Hussein, EV)

“We assure everyone that we are prepared as a government to ensure this exam goes smoothly and delivers well for our children as a team,” Kipsang said.

He further highlighted the extensive security measures taken to safeguard the examination process, explaining that arrangements have been coordinated with regional police commanders and local security teams.

"We have adequate security. Our colleagues across the security sector—the DCI, our police, all security personnel—are part of this exercise," he said.

Education PS Belio Kipsang on commencement of KCSE exams: We assure everyone that we are prepared as government to ensure this exam goes smoothly and deliver well for our children as a team. pic.twitter.com/vX3b98NwB3

— The Eastleigh Voice (@Eastleighvoice) November 4, 2024

He noted that even historically challenging regions, such as the Northern areas, have reported a stable environment conducive to examination administration.

Kipsang credited the Ministry of Interior for ensuring security, adding, “Our deputy county commissioner is with us so they can rally all our colleagues in the security sector. We want to deliver, and as we deliver as one in government, it makes it easier for everybody to see there is a coordinated approach through the multi-agency team.”

Conducive environment

He praised the collaboration, emphasising that the support from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), the police, teachers, and field officers has created a conducive environment for the exams.

TSC Chief Executive Officer Nancy Macharia, who accompanied PS Kipsang, confirmed that all teachers involved in the exams, including examiners, supervisors, and centre managers, had been thoroughly vetted to ensure a seamless examination process.

Examiners frisk Coast Girls High School students ahead of sitting KCSE exams on November 4, 2024. (Photo: Farhiya Hussein, EV)

"It’s that time of the year when all of us must rise to serve the mission in a more special way. We have all sacrificed our sleep to oversee the KCSE exams. I wish all these professionals well as they undertake this national duty,” Macharia remarked.

With multi-agency support and rigorous planning, the government anticipates a successful and well-coordinated examination period for Kenya’s largest-ever KCSE cohort.

On Tuesday morning, students will sit for Mathematics Paper 1, followed by the English comprehension exam in the afternoon. On Wednesday, they will take Chemistry Paper 2 in the morning and English Paper 3 in the afternoon. Thursday is scheduled for Kiswahili Lugha (Paper 2) in the morning and Kiswahili Insha (Paper 1) later that day.

On Friday, students will complete Chemistry practicals, which is Chemistry Paper 3. The exams continue on November 11 with Mathematics Paper 2 and Kiswahili Fasihi (Paper 3). The following day, November 12, students will take their CRE/IRE/HRE Paper 1 and Biology Paper 1.

According to the KNEC schedule, CRE/IRE/HRE Paper 2 will take place in the morning on November 13, with History Paper 1 in the afternoon. Biology Paper 2 and History Paper 2 are set for November 14, with Biology practicals to be held the next day.

On November 18, students will sit for Geography Paper 1 in the morning and Physics Paper 1 in the afternoon. November 19 will see students tackling Paper 1 of both Business Studies and Agriculture. Geography Paper 2 and Physics Paper 2 are scheduled for Wednesday, November 20.

On November 21, Business Paper 2 and Agriculture Paper 2 will be taken in the afternoon. The KCSE national exams will conclude on November 22 with the Physics practical.

Exam cheating

Meanwhile, Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba asked the judiciary to speed up cases of examination cheating to help deter the occurrence of malpractices in national examinations.

While leading the opening of the examination container at Kibra Sub-County Headquarters accompanied by other education officials on Monday, Ogamba issued a stern warning that those who shall this time round be found engaging in examination malpractices will not be spared.

Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba leads the opening of a KCSE examination container at Kibra Sub-County Headquarters in Kibra, Nairobi on November 4, 2024. (Photo: Justine Ondieki, EV)

"We will have those who plan to aid examination cheating arrested and arraigned in court," said Ogamba.

CS Ogamba said as part of measures to curb exam cheating, no exam officials will be allowed to have a mobile phone in the centre during the ongoing exercise.

"All officials with mobile phones will have to surrender them to the supervisor who will lock them in a desk till the end of exams," said Ogamba.

KCSE candidates arrive at the exam centre at John Paul Mixed Secondary School in Kibra as the national exams kick off on November 4, 2024, (Photo: Charity Kilei, EV)

He said Kenyans should not be worried over the fate of learners poised to undertake examinations in parts of the country hit by conflicts such as Tana River and Baringo counties.

"We have ensured that learners have been taken to new examination centres where there are adequate security measures like in GSU camps," noted Ogamba.

He further explained that even learners who were affected by floods and have not returned to their original centres of registration will be facilitated to undertake the examinations.

Interior PS Raymond Omollo while opening the KCSE examination container at the Deputy County Commissioner’s office in Kikuyu noted that the security situation during the exam period has been satisfactory so far, with no serious incidents reported.

Interior PS Raymond Omollo during the opening of the KCSE examination container at the Deputy County Commissioner’s office in Kikuyu on November 4, 2024. (Photo: Mary Wambui)

This year, the KNEC has introduced new measures in exam administration, as part of curbing cheating, which includes personalising papers and not printing extra papers.

The agency’s Chief Executive Officer David Njengere while assuring to guard exam integrity reiterated that the papers will be personalised bearing each student’s name and index number.

Additional reporting by Farhiya Hussein, Mary Wambui and Charity Kilei.