The Kenya National Examinations Council has warned candidates sitting this year's national assessments and examinations that cheating can cost them their results. According to The Star, Kenya, KNEC Chief Executive Officer David Njengere told candidates to have confidence in their own preparation and to reject anyone who tries to mislead, pressure or push them into malpractice.
"There is absolutely no need to cheat, as this may lead to serious consequences, including cancellation of examination results," Njengere said, as reported by The Star, Kenya.
His warning comes as Kenya prepares to administer national assessments and examinations to 3,634,846 candidates this year. The figure spans five categories: the Kenya Primary School Education Assessment (KPSEA), the Kenya Intermediate Level Education Assessment (KILEA), the Kenya Junior School Education Assessment (KJSEA), the Kenya Pre-Vocational Level Education Assessment (KPLEA) and the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE).
Why it matters
The national examinations are the largest single event on Kenya's education calendar, and the outcomes shape which pathways learners can take next. With more than 3.6 million candidates involved, even a small rate of malpractice would affect thousands of families, so KNEC's messaging ahead of the papers carries weight beyond the examination room.
Njengere also framed the assessments as more than a pass-or-fail exercise. He said they should be seen as a way of measuring what learners know and can do, and of guiding their educational routes and future development. That framing matters for the newer competency-based assessments, where results are not the only signal of a learner's progress.
Phones banned from examination centres
Alongside the anti-cheating warning, Njengere cautioned both candidates and examination officials against bringing mobile phones into examination and assessment centres. He directed that all devices be switched off and stored in lockable lockers outside the examination rooms.
The instruction extends the rules beyond candidates to the staff who run the centres, reflecting concern that unauthorised communication during papers can undermine the integrity of the whole exercise.
KNEC requires centre managers, supervisors and invigilators to make sure candidates sit their papers in strict compliance with the prescribed rules and regulations. Candidates were briefed on instructions, guidelines and the penalties for breaking the rules during rehearsals held on October 16 for KCSE and October 23 for KPSEA and KJSEA.
Timetable and rules candidates must follow
The KPSEA, KILEA, KJSEA and KPLEA assessments were scheduled to begin on Monday, October 26, according to Njengere's message to candidates. KCSE oral and practical examinations started on October 19, while the written papers are set to run from November 2 to November 20, 2026.
Some rules apply to candidates and officials alike, while others are specific to candidates. Candidates must be in the examination room at least 15 minutes before the scheduled start, after going through security checks. Anyone arriving more than 30 minutes late will only be allowed to sit the paper after giving the supervisor a satisfactory explanation.
Every candidate must carry their official KNEC index or assessment card into the examination room. KPSEA candidates may bring HB pencils for shading answer sheets, but biro pens and fountain pens are not permitted for them. KJSEA and KCSE candidates must use blue or black ink ballpoint or fountain pens, with pencils allowed only for drawing diagrams, graphs and specified mathematical work.
For KPSEA and KJSEA candidates, Njengere noted that final results will combine scores from school-based assessments with the summative assessments. He also acknowledged the work of teachers and parents in preparing candidates and wished all learners success.
What to watch
The assessments begin Monday, October 26, with KCSE written papers following from November 2 to November 20. How smoothly the rules on devices and centre conduct are enforced across all five categories will be the test of whether this year's warnings translate into a clean examination season.
