3.63 million learners begin national exams as 295,000 personnel are deployed

More than 3.63 million learners are undertaking Kenya’s national assessments and examinations this year, with the government deploying more than 295,000 personnel to oversee the exercise amid concerns over missing candidates, examination malpractice and disruptions caused by adverse weather.

The 2026 Kenya Primary School Education Assessment (KPSEA) and Kenya Junior School Education Assessment (KJSEA) began today, Monday, October 26, 2026 with Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba supervising the opening of an examination container in Makindu, Makueni County.

The nationwide exercise involves learners transitioning through Kenya’s Competency-Based Education (CBE) system, with the results expected to play a crucial role in determining their next stages of learning.

However, registration figures have raised questions about the whereabouts of hundreds of thousands of learners who should have progressed to the current assessment levels.

According to the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC), 1,380,463 Grade Six learners registered for KPSEA, while 1,206,028 Grade Nine learners registered for KJSEA.

The two assessments account for 2,586,491 candidates, while the overall number of learners registered for this year’s KPSEA, KJSEA and Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examinations stands at 3,634,846.

The assessments began at 8.30am following rehearsals conducted on Friday. KPSEA is scheduled to conclude on Wednesday, October 28, while KJSEA will run until Friday, October 30, 2026.

Ogamba witnessed the opening of the examination container and the distribution of examination materials at the Makindu Sub-County Deputy County Commissioner’s Office before visiting Kiambani Comprehensive School to observe the administration of the assessments.

The CS assured Kenyans that the government had put measures in place to safeguard the integrity of the examinations and ensure candidates undertake them in a secure and organised environment.

He warned parents, learners and members of the public against individuals claiming to have advance access to examination papers in exchange for money.

“We want to warn parents, learners and the public against anyone who claims to have prior knowledge of examination papers and asks for money. This is fraud. We will not allow any form of examination malpractice,” Ogamba said.

He directed centre managers, supervisors, invigilators and other officials to uphold the highest standards of integrity, warning that any learner found engaging in irregularities would face appropriate action.

The CS also urged anyone with information about examination fraud to report it to the relevant authorities.

260,000 learners missing

The start of the assessments has also brought renewed attention to the number of learners who have failed to progress to the expected examination levels.

At least 260,679 learners who would have been expected to sit the current assessments are missing from the registration figures, raising concerns about school dropout rates and other barriers to education.

However, Ogamba cautioned against interpreting the figures as evidence that all the missing learners had abandoned school.

Ogamba attributed the gap to several factors, including natural attrition, deaths, illness, early pregnancies, transfers to international curricula and learners who had dropped out without progressing to the next level.

“Some of the learners are lost because of natural attrition. Some learners have passed on or cannot continue. Some of them have moved to different curricula, such as international schools,” he said.

He added that some learners had dropped out because of early pregnancies or illness, but said opportunities existed for them to return to school.

The figures nevertheless highlight the importance of tracking learners throughout the education system to establish why some fail to advance and what interventions are necessary to keep them in school.

TSC deploys 295,091 personnel

Meanwhile, the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has deployed 295,091 personnel to support the administration of KPSEA, KJSEA, the Kenya Intermediate Level Education Assessment (KILEA) and the Kenya Pre-Vocational Level Education Assessment (KPLEA).

The deployment includes 207,973 invigilators, 43,606 supervisors and 43,040 centre managers tasked with ensuring the assessments are conducted efficiently and in accordance with established procedures.

In a statement posted on X, the commission said Samwel Marigat, its acting director of staffing, represented acting Chief Executive Officer Evaleen Mitei during the flagging-off ceremony in Mavoko Sub-County, Machakos County.

TSC said the deployment was intended to support smooth operations and protect the credibility of the assessments.

“Dr Mitei reaffirmed the Commission’s unwavering support for the exercise and urged all participating agencies to discharge their duties with integrity, vigilance, and professionalism,” the commission said.

The personnel will work alongside KNEC officials, the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Interior and National Administration, the National Police Service and other stakeholders involved in the exercise.

Weather and security concerns

The government has also made contingency arrangements to address disruptions arising from heavy rainfall, flooding, insecurity and difficult terrain in some parts of the country.

Ogamba said multi-agency teams had been mobilised to respond to emerging challenges and ensure examination materials reach designated centres securely and on time.

He urged parents and guardians to support candidates emotionally, encouraging them to approach the assessments with confidence and discipline.

The assessments are a key component of Kenya’s transition from the 8-4-4 system to the Competency-Based Education curriculum.

KPSEA marks the end of primary school for Grade Six learners, while KJSEA helps determine the placement of Grade Nine learners in senior school. Their results incorporate both school-based assessments and national examination performance.

As candidates settle into examination centres across the country, the government faces the dual task of ensuring a credible assessment process and addressing the wider challenges affecting access, retention and progression within the education system.

Ogamba wished candidates success, assuring the public that the government remained committed to providing a fair, secure and conducive environment in which every learner could demonstrate their abilities.

He also extended his best wishes to KCSE candidates, who are already undertaking their examinations ahead of the main written papers scheduled for next week.