KNEC Assures Integrity of KCSE Exams as 25,849 Candidates Sit Tests in Kisumu

KISUMU, Kenya, Nov 2 — The 2026 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examinations have commenced in Kisumu County, with 25,849 candidates registered to sit the national tests across 246 senior schools. The Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) has assured candidates, parents and other stakeholders that adequate measures have been put in place to safeguard the integrity of the examinations. KNEC Chairman Professor Julius Nyabundi gave the assurance on Monday after overseeing the opening of the KCSE examination container at the Kisumu Central Deputy County Commissioner’s office, where he witnessed the release of examination materials to centre managers. Nyabundi said the exercise had started smoothly, with all centre managers reporting on time and examination materials being issued as scheduled. He added that the council had not received any reports of examination irregularities since the start of the examination period, expressing confidence that the same standards would be maintained until the last paper. “Up to now, the integrity of the examinations has been beyond any question. There have been no reports of any irregularities with regard to KCSE exams,” he said. The KNEC chairman urged centre managers to remain vigilant and uphold their responsibility to ensure the examinations are conducted fairly and securely. He said the success of the exercise would depend largely on the cooperation and commitment of centre managers, acknowledging the working relationship between the council, school administrators and the Teachers Service Commission (TSC). “We really want to thank the centre managers who have come here and remind them that the responsibility of the exams from this time on depends on them,” he said. Nyabundi also noted that this is the second-last KCSE examination to be administered under the existing examination system, urging education officials and other stakeholders to ensure a successful exercise as the country approaches the end of the KCSE cycle. Kisumu County Director of Education Magare Onduso said the county had made adequate preparations, with centre managers reporting in readiness for the examinations. Onduso confirmed that 25,849 candidates had registered across 246 senior schools, adding that education officials were monitoring the exercise to ensure candidates sat their papers without disruptions. He acknowledged that some candidates could be experiencing health challenges or might have been admitted to hospital, but said the county was still compiling information on such cases as the examination period had only just begun. “So far, we have not had a very serious issue that we can address, and we pray that we continue like that to the end,” he said. On security, Onduso assured candidates, parents and other stakeholders that adequate arrangements had been made to prevent examination malpractice and protect examination materials. He said each school had been assigned two security officers who would remain at the institutions throughout the examination period and accompany examination materials during their return. “Every school has two security officers who will be in the schools until they bring back the exams. And we have enough officers,” he said. Onduso further assured stakeholders that examination materials would remain secure throughout the distribution and administration process, from collection at the examination container to their return. The officials expressed optimism that cooperation among education administrators, centre managers, security agencies and examination officials would help ensure a smooth examination period. They urged all those involved to remain vigilant and comply with examination regulations to protect the credibility of the national tests.