Kenya has achieved a major milestone in its education sector after the number of candidates registered for the 2026 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examination surpassed the one million mark for the first time in the country's history.
Data released by the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) shows that a record 1,049,276 candidates have been registered to sit the 2026 KCSE examinations.
The figure represents a significant increase from the
993,226 candidates who sat the 2025 KCSE examinations.
In 2025, a total of 995,860 candidates had initially registered for the examination, but 993,226 eventually sat the tests.
The 2025 candidature itself had marked a 3.19 per cent increase, equivalent to 30,714 candidates, from the 962,512 learners who sat the KCSE examination in 2024.
Education stakeholders welcomed the latest figures, saying they reflect improved access to education and the success of government efforts to enhance transition rates from primary to secondary school.
The growth is also evident in the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) assessments. According to KNEC, a total of 1,193,200 learners have been registered for the 2026 Kenya Junior School Education Assessment (KJSEA).
The figure is higher than the 1,130,459 candidates who sat
the assessment in 2025.
The 2025 cohort was particularly significant as it constituted the pioneer class completing Junior School under the CBC system.
Of the candidates who sat the assessment last year, 578,630 were boys, representing 51.19 per cent, while 551,829 were girls, accounting for 48.81 per cent.
The number of learners registered for the Kenya Primary School Education Assessment (KPSEA) has also continued to rise. KNEC records indicate that 1,300,864 candidates have registered for the 2026 assessment.
This follows the 2025 KPSEA, which was taken by 1,298,089 Grade Six learners in 32,843 assessment centres spread across the country.
The release of the examination registration figures came as KNEC moved to dismiss claims circulating on social media that it intends to recruit non-teachers as examiners, supervisors and invigilators for this year's national examinations and assessments.
The viral post alleged that the council was introducing reforms similar to those used by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), allowing people from various professions to oversee examinations.
“Breaking news. KNEC to recruit non-teachers as exam supervisors in IEBC-style examination reforms. A move towards more credible, transparent and independent management of Kenya's national examinations,” read part of the widely shared post.
However, KNEC distanced itself from the claims and urged the
public to disregard the information.
“Beware of fake news. Kaa chonjo! (stay alert),” the council said in a statement posted on its official X account.
The council's warning, however, sparked reactions from teachers and other professionals who have been contracted to administer national examinations, with many using the opportunity to raise concerns over delayed payments for services rendered during last year's examinations.
