Kenya Insights

Tag: KNEC

  • KNEC Publishes 2025 KCSE Timetable

    KNEC Publishes 2025 KCSE Timetable

    The Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) has released the timetable, instructions, and guidelines ahead of the commencement of the Kenya Certificate for Secondary Education (KCSE).

    In a full release published on its website, KNEC announced that the national exams would start on October 21, 2025. French, Sign Language and German will be among the first examinable subjects.

    The over-two-week-long KCSE exams are expected to end on November 12, 2025.

    “All first session examination papers will start at 8.00 a.m. and second session examination papers will start at 2.00 pm as indicated on the timetable,” KNEC stated.

    “The time allowed for each paper is indicated against the name of the paper and no extra time is to be allowed. In case of any discrepancy, the time stated on the question paper should be taken as the correct one. Time for reading through questions is part of the time shown on the question paper except where special paper instructions indicate otherwise,” the council added.

    Biology Paper 2 will be the first paper on Thursday, November 13, 2025, followed by History and Government in the afternoon. Biology practical papers will wind up the second week of the national examination.

    On November 18, Geography Paper 1 will be administered to those who selected the subject, then followed by Physics Paper 1, which is also an optional subject.

    Other optional subjects (Business Studies Paper 1 and Agriculture) will be administered on November 19, 2025. In the following day, candidates will take their Business Studies and Agriculture second papers.

    On the final day, Friday, November 21, 2025, students will sit for Physics Paper 3.

    Instructions

    According to the examination council, teachers are advised to ensure that the candidates read these instructions and guidelines
    carefully and adhere to them.

    “Avail yourself for searching outside the examination room and be seated at your desk/table 15 minutes before the time fixed for the examination in the various papers. The first session will start at 8.00 a.m. followed by the second session at 2.00 pm as indicated on the timetable,” KNEC informed candidates.

    “A candidate who arrives late will be required to give a satisfactory reason to the Supervisor. Only in exceptional circumstances will a paper be given to any candidate who is more than half an hour late. Absolute punctuality is essential for all papers.”

    “Write your responses in black or blue ink. You may use fountain pen or ball point pen but not erasable pens. Pencil should only be used for diagrams. Bring mathematical and drawing instruments for subjects for which they will be needed.”

    KNEC has also made it clear that no candidate will be allowed to leave the exam room before the end of the test unless okayed by the supervisor.

    Supervisors and invigilators have been asked to ensure all candidates are issued with personalised papers that bear their names and random number.

    “Supervisors must verify that candidates have signed their answer scripts and script control form before collecting them for packing. They must count the candidates to ensure they tally with the present candidates,” KNEC insisted.

    The council has also spelt out punitive penalties for exam malpractice.

  • ‪KNEC Opens KCSE Resit Registration For July Exams‬

    ‪KNEC Opens KCSE Resit Registration For July Exams‬

    The Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) has opened registration for the resit of 2024 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) exams.

    The initiative aimed at broadening educational opportunities. Set to commence in July 2025, this new examination cycle will provide a crucial second chance for a diverse group of candidates including repeaters, adult learners, and those who missed previous exam opportunities.

    Registration Details:

    – Registration Period: Opens on January 27, 2025, and closes on February 21, 2025.
    – Registration Process: Candidates must register through their County Directors of Education (CDEs) using the KNEC registration portal.

    Eligibility:

    – Repeaters: Full or partial, based on the number of subjects they need to retake.
    – Candidates Missed Previous Exams: Due to illness or other extenuating circumstances.
    – Adult Learners: With primary education qualifications but not enrolled in regular schools.

    Those ineligible include regular school learners and first-time KCSE candidates.

    Requirements for Registration:

    – Valid identification documents (ID card, birth certificate, or passport).
    – KCPE certificate.
    – Previous KCSE results slip or certificate for repeaters.
    – A passport-sized photo.
    – Registration fee of Ksh7,200, payable via e-Citizen.

    Exam Administration:

    – Examination Timeline: Theory and practical papers from July to mid-August 2025.
    – Project-Based Assessments: For subjects like Agriculture, Art and Design, and Computer Studies, projects will be conducted from January to July 2025.
    – Exam Centers: Assigned by County Directors of Education.

    Grading and Certification:

    – Full repeaters will receive a new KCSE certificate, while partial repeaters get result slips for subjects retaken.
    – No late registrations will be accepted post the February 21 deadline.

    Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Migos emphasized the importance of this initiative during the release of the 2024 KCSE results at Mitihani House on January 9, 2025. He highlighted that the mid-year exams would not only serve those needing to improve or obtain their secondary education certification but also cater to adult learners, thereby enhancing educational inclusivity.

    “This new examination series is a step forward in our commitment to ensure that every Kenyan has access to education regardless of their circumstances,” said CS Migos. He further noted that this initiative would become an annual event, offering multiple opportunities for students to achieve their educational goals without the long wait traditionally associated with national exams.

    The introduction of the July KCSE series marks a significant policy shift, aiming to make educational qualifications more accessible and flexible for all Kenyans. This move is expected to empower many by providing them with the tools to advance their education and career prospects.

  • Sudi’s KCSE Certificates Are Forgeries, KNEC Tells Court

    Sudi’s KCSE Certificates Are Forgeries, KNEC Tells Court

    Kenya National Examination Council (KNEC) has told Milimani Anti-Corruption court that Kapseret MP Oscar Sudi obtained his form four certificate through forged documents.

    Through KNEC Principal research officer Nabiki Kashu, the exam body told chief magistrate Felix Kombo MP Sudi was not among candidates in the year 2006.

    “The name of Oscar Sudi does not appear in our database records as having sat for the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) in 2006 at either Parklands or Highway secondary schools”, Kashu told the court.

    She added that the code in the academic certificate presented by the legislator from Highway secondary school belongs to Parklands Secondary school

    Kashu was testifying in a case where Mr Sudi has been charged with forging a KCSE certificate purporting it to be a genuine document issued by the Knec.

    The MP is also accused of forging a diploma certificate in Business Management purporting it to be a genuine document issued by the Kenya Institute of Management.

    Kashu further told the Anti-Corruption court that he received a letter from the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) on September 17, 2015, regarding Sudi’s academic results for the year 2006.

    She added that the letter asked the exam body to find out whether such a candidate sat for the KCSE in the year 2006 at Highway secondary school in Nairobi and was awarded certificate serial number ‪3381074‬under index 401006/081.

    Kashu added that upon checking the records, she said code 401006 does not belong to Highway secondary but Parklands secondary school. The code for Highway secondary school according to KNEC records was 401005.

    She further addes there was no school called Highway High school during the 2006 KCSE examination as indicated in Sudi’s certificate and such school never existed then.

    She further told the court that Index 401006/081 belonged to Obaje Bob Onyango who was registered and sat for the 2006 KCSE examinations at Parklands secondary school.

    According to the Knec officer, there is no possibility of two schools sharing a code number during a given examination. Similarly there is no possibility of two candidates sharing an index number.

    The MP is facing other counts of giving false information to an IBC officer and lying to the electoral body and the EACC.

    He is said to have presented the certificates to the two commissions with the intention of deceiving them.

    Sudi allegedly provided false information to Derrick Kaisha, an officer of EACC, at Haron Court Hotel, Nairobi County, in September 2015.

    The legislator is also accused of making a false declaration under oath through a self-declaration form to IEBC at Barng’etuny plaza in Eldoret on that date.

    This was contrary to Section 46(1)(d) as read with Section 46(2) at the Leadership and Integrity Act

    He is further accused of making a false statutory declaration contrary to Section 11 of the Oaths and Statuary declarations.

    Sudi was charged based on the EACC’s recommendations to the DPP, following investigations.

    The lawmaker is out on a cash bail of Sh300, 000 or a bond of Sh600, 000.

  • Prof Magoha Releases Busted KCSE Malpractices Report

    Prof Magoha Releases Busted KCSE Malpractices Report

    Education Cabinet Secretary Prof George Magoha has released a report stating that a total of 21 cases of examination malpractices were reported in this year’s KCSE exams.

    Prof Magoha, while speaking at Kenya High School, said that 90 mobile phones were also nabbed from busted examiners.

    “The phones were to aid in cheating,” Prof Magoha said. 

    The education CS was accompanied by Principal Secretary Belio Kipsang, Kenya National examinations Council (Knec) acting Chief Executive Officer Mercy Karogo and Teachers Service Commission (TSC) CEO Nancy Macharia.

    Nairobi, Kisii, Migori, Homa Bay, Wajir, and Garissa recorded highest cases of the counties that recorded cases of examination irregularities. This is despite the Ministry having flagged over 300 schools and made sure were put under watch over allegations of planned cheating.

    Prof Magoha also noted that he will hand over the names of two police officers, bribed with Sh2,000 to aid cheating, to the Interior Ministry for action.

    KNEC records indicate that 699,745 candidates sat for this years’ Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education exams that started on October 21st. The CS said that marking will begin on Thursday (tomorrow).