President William Ruto being briefed by Education CS Julius Ogamba and PS Julius Bitok on examination preparedness at State House, Nairobi, October 21, 2025. /PCSPresident William Ruto has assured the country that preparations for this year’s national examinations are complete, setting the stage for a historic season in which more than 3.4 million learners will sit various assessments across the country.
Ruto spoke after being briefed on exam readiness by Education Cabinet Secretary Migos Ogamba and senior ministry officials at State House, Nairobi.
“Arrangements for this year's national assessments are now complete. We expect all stakeholders, including candidates, teachers, parents, invigilators and supervisors, to work together to make the examinations a success."
The Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) confirmed that a total of 3,424,836 candidates are registered to sit this year’s national tests—the largest number in Kenya’s history.
They include 996,078 candidates for the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE), 1,298,089 candidates for the Kenya Primary School Education Assessment (KPSEA), and 1,130,669 candidates for the inaugural Kenya Junior School Education Assessment (KJSEA).
“This year, the first Grade 9 candidates will sit the Kenya Junior School Education Assessment (KJSEA). Additionally, other candidates will sit the Kenya Primary School Education Assessment (Grade 6), Kenya Integrated Learners Education Assessment, Kenya Pre-Vocation Level Education Assessment and Kenya Certificate for Secondary Education (Form 4),” Ruto said.
The President’s call for unity and diligence among stakeholders comes as KNEC rolls out one of the most complex examination timetables ever implemented under the Competency-Based Education (CBE).
According to official schedules, KCSE candidates held their rehearsal on Friday, October 17, before beginning oral and practical examinations from October 21.
The main written papers will start on November 3 and conclude on November 21, with morning sessions beginning at 8am and afternoon papers at 2pm.
For primary school learners, the KPSEA will commence after rehearsals on Friday, October 24, running from Monday, October 27 to Wednesday, October 29.
Meanwhile, KJSEA assessments for the pioneer Grade 9 cohort will follow the same week, with all first-session papers starting at 8:30am., according to KNEC’s revised timetable.
The Ministry of Education says logistical and security measures have been strengthened to guarantee the credibility of the examinations, including the deployment of exam containers in all sub-counties and coordination centres.
Education officials have also urged teachers and parents to ensure learners are mentally prepared and punctual.
Ruto’s appeal for collaboration underlines the national scale of the exercise. With more than 3.4 million learners set to take their seats in examination rooms between late October and November, the education system faces its biggest logistical test yet.
The President’s call for all actors to uphold integrity and teamwork to safeguard the credibility of assessment points to government's commitment to ensuring nothing goes wrong.
Ruto's directive sets the tone for a high-stakes season in which the country’s next generation of learners will mark another milestone in the education reforms under the CBE transition.
