By Nyang’au Araka
More than one million candidates have embarked on the 2026 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examination, with Monday marking the commencement of the main written papers across the country.
A total of 1,048,355 candidates registered for this year’s examination, the first time KCSE candidature crossed the one-million mark in the history of the national examination.
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Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Migos Ogamba announced the figures on Monday after witnessing the opening of a Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) examination container at the Borabu Deputy County Commissioner’s Office in Nyamira County.
The candidature represents a 5.27 per cent increase from the 995,860 candidates registered in 2025, while 965,172 candidates were registered in 2024.
“This year’s examination is historic. For the first time in the history of KCSE, more than one million candidates have been registered,” Ogamba said.
The 2026 examination season began on October 19 with oral, practical and low-candidature papers, which have already been undertaken by candidates registered for the respective subjects.
The main written papers began on Monday, with candidates scheduled to sit English Paper 1 in the morning and Chemistry Paper 1 in the afternoon.
The examination will continue until November 20 and is being administered in more than 10,000 centres countrywide.
Ogamba said the Government had strengthened security around examination materials to minimise leakage and early exposure, but warned that malpractice remained a concern.
He identified impersonation, collusion and possession of unauthorised materials as some of the threats to examination integrity.
“Mobile phones remain one of the greatest threats to the integrity of national examinations,” he said, reiterating that candidates and examination personnel are prohibited from possessing or using personal mobile phones during examination sessions.
He warned that anyone found violating the regulations would face action in accordance with the law.
The Cabinet Secretary also expressed concern over the possibility of heavy rains and flooding disrupting the examination, following a Kenya Meteorological Department forecast of above-average rainfall in most parts of the country during the October-December season.
He said the Ministry of Education was working with KNEC, the Ministry of Interior and National Administration and other relevant agencies to monitor weather conditions and coordinate interventions where necessary.
“Our priority is to safeguard candidates and examination personnel while ensuring that any disruption is addressed promptly and that affected candidates are supported in accordance with KNEC arrangements,” he said.
The Ministry will also work with relevant agencies to support candidates with disabilities, those who fall ill and those affected by emergencies during the examination period.
This year’s KCSE is the second-last examination under the 8-4-4 education system, with the final cohort expected to sit the examination in 2027 as the country transitions to Competency-Based Education.
Ogamba said the Government remained committed to supporting learners under both education systems while expanding opportunities for university education, technical and vocational training and other post-secondary pathways.
