The Ministry of Education has approved the issuance of National Identity Cards to secondary school students across the country.
In a statement dated September 1, 2026, Principal Secretary for Basic Education John Ololtuaa said the Ministry had approved the National Registration Bureau’s access to secondary schools to conduct the exercise.
“This is to confirm that this office has considered and granted approval to the request by the National Registration Bureau for access to Secondary Schools for issuance of National Identity Cards to students across the country,” the statement read in part.
The exercise will run from August 31 to October 16, 2026, with the ministry citing the need to account for the Term Three examination period.
Ministry On How the ID Registration Will Be Conducted
According to the ministry’s statement, registration officers from the National Registration Bureau will visit secondary schools across the country to facilitate the issuance of National Identity Cards to students.
The Ministry said it has separately informed Regional Directors of Education, who will facilitate access to schools for the registration officers.
“A communication to Regional Directors of Education (RDEs) across the country to facilitate access by the Registration Officers has been issued separately.”
This approval follows a request by the National Registration Bureau dated August 21, 2026, seeking access to secondary schools for the nationwide exercise.
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The exercise is expected to be completed by October 16, 2026, within the period approved by the Ministry, taking into account the Term Three examinations.
“However, in view of the 3rd term examinations, the exercise should be undertaken between 31st August, 2026 and 16th October, 2026.”
Important Term 3 Dates and Schedule
After the nine-week Term 3 period, Kenyan learners will move into the national assessment and examination period, with several assessments scheduled from late October.
The Kenya Primary School Education Assessment (KPSEA) is taken by learners completing Grade 6 and is used to assess learning outcomes at the end of primary school under the Competency-Based Curriculum. KPSEA will be administered from October 26 to October 29, 2026, over four days.
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Also, KILEA (Kenya Intermediate Level Education Assessment) is scheduled for October 26 to October 30, 2026, and will last five days. The assessment is designed for learners at the intermediate level of basic education and assesses competencies acquired at that stage.
KJSEA and KPLEA will run from October 26 to November 5, 2026. The Kenya Junior School Education Assessment (KJSEA) is taken by learners completing Grade 9 and assesses competencies acquired during junior school.
The Kenya Primary Level Education Assessment (KPLEA) assesses learners at the corresponding primary level under the competency-based education system.
KCSE will then run from November 2 to November 20, 2026, covering three weeks. The Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education examination is taken by learners completing senior secondary education and assesses their academic achievement at the end of the secondary school cycle.
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