The Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) will deploy 342,005 contracted professionals to oversee the administration of national examinations and assessments for 3,634,846 candidates across the country between October 16 and November 20.
The figures were announced during the launch of the 2026 national examination and assessment season on October 5, when education officials outlined measures to ensure the tests are conducted smoothly, fairly, and without disruption.
Speaking at the event, KNEC Chief Executive Officer David Njengere said the council had made extensive preparations for the exercise, which remains one of the largest annual undertakings in the education sector.
El Niño, AI Cheating Under Spotlight
Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba said relevant government agencies had been placed on alert to respond quickly to challenges that may arise from flooding, damaged infrastructure, and accessibility issues affecting examination centers.
He said a coordinated approach involving national and county government agencies would ensure candidates can access examination centers and that examination materials are delivered on time.
The Cabinet Secretary also issued a stern warning against examination irregularities, saying the government would take firm action against anyone found engaging in malpractice.
Also Read: Ogamba Breaks Silence on University Lecturers’ Strike
Ogamba said candidates, center managers, supervisors, and invigilators must fully comply with examination regulations, warning that offenders would face the full force of the law.
“Let me affirm today that we will have no mercy on anyone who will be found engaging in any form of malpractice. All candidates, center managers, supervisors and invigilators must comply with examination regulations, failing which they will be subjected to the full force of the law,” said Hon. Julius Ogamba, Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Education.
Leaders at the KNEC meeting also raised concern over the growing threat posed by artificial intelligence and other digital technologies in facilitating examination malpractice.
Basic Education Principal Secretary John Ololtuaa said officials involved in the administration of examinations must remain vigilant and uphold the highest standards of professionalism to safeguard the credibility of national assessments.
He warned that all forms of malpractice, including those enabled by emerging technologies, must be prevented through strict adherence to examination regulations and close monitoring of examination centres.
Ololtuaa said collective efforts by education stakeholders would be critical in preserving the validity, reliability and public trust associated with national examinations.
KNEC Prioritizes Examiners’ Welfare
At the same time, the Ministry of Education pledged to continue improving the welfare of examiners and contracted professionals involved in the examination process.
Ololtuaa described examiners as indispensable to the quality and credibility of national assessments, saying their contribution remains central to the success of the country’s examination system.
Also Read: Ruto Announces New Salary Deduction Scheme for Teachers
He acknowledged the growing financial demands of administering and marking examinations amid rising candidate numbers and said the ministry would continue prioritizing the welfare of contracted personnel.
Exam Cheating Cases Persist Despite Crackdown
Government data shows that 418 candidates were implicated in examination malpractice during the 2025 examination cycle, down from 614 cases recorded in 2024, indicating that while cases have declined, cheating remains a significant challenge.
Several suspects were arrested during the 2025 KCSE examinations, including school administrators, invigilators, teachers and impersonators linked to cheating schemes.
Mobile phones were also confiscated from candidates in multiple examination centres.
As a result, education officials are now warning that artificial intelligence could become the next major threat to exam integrity.
Follow our WhatsApp Channel and X Account for real-time news updates.
