The 2025 national examinations season will see a record 3,424,836 candidates sit for their assessments, with the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) assuring Kenyans of tight security and smooth administration.
KNEC CEO David Njengere said Friday that the field administration of exams will run from October 17 to November 21, 2025.
It covers three major assessments of KCSE with 996,078 candidates, KPSEA with 1,298,089 candidates, and the inaugural KJSEA with 1,130,669 learners.
“This is one of the largest examination undertakings in the country’s history. We have put measures in place to safeguard the credibility of the process and ensure fairness for all candidates,” Njengere said.
Security remains a top priority, with 25 additional exam storage containers installed in sub-counties, raising the total number to 642 from 617 used last year.
These containers will be secured by 2,568 police officers, while every KCSE centre will have at least two security personnel throughout the examination period.
"In the last two years, we have managed to deal with the challenge of early exposure of the second session paper in KCSE through double collection of papers for the two sessions. This practice will continue this year," said Njengere.
In total, the exams will involve 10,765 centre managers, 12,126 supervisors, 54,782 invigilators, and 22,247 security officers during KCSE.
For the primary and junior school exams, the number rises significantly, requiring 24,213 centre managers, 26,479 supervisors, and over 125,000 invigilators.
KNEC has also introduced digital smart padlocks, which will be piloted in 250 containers this year.
These locks are expected to strengthen the integrity of exam material storage and distribution.
Officers in charge of these containers will undergo specialised training ahead of the rollout.
To curb exam leaks, the double collection system for morning and afternoon KCSE papers, introduced two years ago, will continue.
This measure has been credited with eliminating early exposure to exam papers.
Njengere emphasised the role of teachers deployed as invigilators and supervisors, urging them to uphold integrity.
“They are the only persons in direct contact with candidates, and their responsibility in preventing irregularities cannot be overstated,” he said.
The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has been working closely with KNEC to ensure that only teachers of high integrity are assigned exam duties.
Meanwhile, the Council’s 24-hour command and call centres will remain open to monitor progress and provide real-time support.
As the countdown begins, the Ministry of Education has urged all candidates to remain focused.
"The integrity of our exams defines the future of our learners. We must all play our role in protecting it,” Njengere added.
