Armed police officers will not be routinely stationed at centres administering the Kenya Primary School Education Assessment (KPSEA) and the Kenya Junior School Education Assessment (KJSEA), Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba has said as more than 3.6 million learners begin this year’s national assessments and examinations.
Speaking during the official release of examination and assessment materials in Makindu, Makueni County, Ogamba said the government had adopted a different approach for younger learners, arguing that assessment centres should provide a calm and conducive environment.
“Unlike in the past, armed police officers will not be stationed at assessment centres for KPSEA and KJSEA unless there is a specific security threat that requires deployment,” said Ogamba.
No Armed Police at KPSEA, KJSEA Centres
The CS, however, clarified that security officers would continue to escort examination materials from distribution centres to schools and back after administration to safeguard the integrity of the process.
The announcement comes as the country begins one of the biggest examination exercises in its history, involving 3,634,846 learners and candidates.
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According to the Ministry of Education, 1,380,463 learners are sitting KPSEA while 1,206,028 are taking KJSEA.
Another 1,048,355 candidates have registered for the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examination.
KPSEA and KJSEA officially kicked off on Monday. KPSEA will run until October 28, while KJSEA will continue until October 30.
KCSE practical, oral and low-candidature papers are already underway ahead of the main written examinations scheduled between November 2 and November 20.
Ogamba said the government had introduced additional security measures to prevent examination malpractice and protect the credibility of the national examinations.
The measures include additional examination storage containers, smart electronic padlocks, colour-coded examination materials, and personalised question papers.
The ministry believes the measures will strengthen accountability and make it easier to track examination materials throughout the assessment and examination period.
Anti-Cheating Measures and Rainfall Plans
At the same time, Ogamba warned candidates, parents and the public against examination fraud, saying individuals claiming to have access to examination papers were con artists seeking to exploit desperate families.
“The government will not tolerate examination malpractice. Anyone found engaging in cheating or facilitating examination irregularities will face the full force of the law,” he said.
The CS urged learners to rely on their preparation rather than seek leaked examination materials.
His remarks come amid renewed efforts by the government to eliminate examination cheating, which has in the past cast doubt on the credibility of national examination results.
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The ministry has also activated contingency measures to respond to expected heavy rainfall in parts of the country during the examination period.
Ogamba said the government was prepared to address challenges from flooding, poor road networks, insecurity, and difficult terrain that could affect the movement of examination materials and candidates.
Education officials have been directed to work closely with county commissioners, security agencies and local administrators to ensure examinations proceed without disruptions.
Special arrangements have also been made for learners with disabilities and those requiring additional support during the examination period.
The government expressed confidence in the measures put in place and assured candidates, parents and schools that all assessments and examinations would be conducted fairly, securely and efficiently.
Ogamba wished KPSEA, KJSEA and KCSE candidates success, urging them to remain focused and uphold integrity throughout the examination period.
The CS also warned that individuals found in unauthorised possession of examination papers or related materials could face prosecution, fines of up to Ksh2 million, imprisonment of up to 10 years, or both under the Kenya National Examinations Council Act.
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