The Kenya National Examinations Council is taking extra steps to tighten exam security and ensure fair assessments as the 2025 national examinations draw near, starting on October 17.
Among the new measures is the use of personalised question papers for both KCSE and the first Kenya Junior School Education Assessment (KJSEA). Each paper will display the candidate’s name, index number, and space for a signature, making it extremely difficult for anyone to impersonate a student.
Candidates will also record their answers directly in the question booklets, which include detachable counterfoils collected separately after each paper. KNEC says this system strengthens accountability and simplifies script management.
“This innovation promotes fairness, transparency, and integrity in the marking process. Every candidate will have a uniquely identifiable paper, and this will reduce the chances of cheating,” said KNEC CEO David Njengere.
In a further boost to exam security, KNEC will pilot digital smart padlocks in 250 storage containers. The locks allow real-time monitoring and are designed to prevent unauthorised access. Officials in charge of these locks will undergo training before the exams begin.
The council continues to prioritise security after past incidents of leaked exam papers. Njengere noted that the double collection system for KCSE morning and afternoon sessions will remain in place to reduce early exposure.
This year, a record 3,424,836 candidates will sit national exams: 996,078 for KCSE, 1,298,089 for KPSEA, and 1,130,669 for the inaugural KJSEA. To oversee the process, KNEC will deploy 54,782 invigilators and 22,247 security officers nationwide.
Njengere stressed the importance of integrity among teachers and supervisors. “Supervisors and invigilators are the frontline defenders of exam credibility. We count on their professionalism to safeguard the future of our learners,” he said.
Council chairperson Julius Nyabudi added that all stakeholders must ensure the examinations reflect students’ true performance.
“In discharging our tasks during the administration of examinations and assessments, we must ensure fairness, transparency, and integrity in order to maintain desired standards and credibility of our education system,” he said.
The new measures were unveiled during the official launch of the exam season at Mtihani House in South C, Nairobi, underscoring KNEC’s commitment to a secure and fair assessment process.