Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has addressed possible disruptions to the upcoming 2025 national examinations due to the scheduled by-elections by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).
The exams include the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE), Kenya Junior School Education Assessment (KJSEA), Kenya Pre-Vocational Learners Education Assessment (KPLEA), Kenya Intermediate Learners Education Assessment (KILEA), and the Kenya Primary School Education Assessment (KPSEA) Summative Assessment.
CS Murkomen, while speaking on Friday, September 12, reassured the public that the examinations will proceed without disruptions, despite the scheduled by-elections in November.
The CS emphasised the government’s commitment to safeguarding students’ learning environments, especially during the crucial exam period.
With by-elections set for November 27, 2025, he highlighted the coordination between IEBC and the Ministry of Education to avoid interference with exam preparations and sittings.
“The November by-elections are confined to specific areas, and schools are designated no-go zones for any campaign infrastructure. You can see how IEBC has been able to ensure that the election day is after the completion of exams, which allows most polling stations, many of which are schools, to be utilized without affecting students,” said Murkomen.
Murkomen assures by-election campaigns will not disrupt 2025 national exams
He further explained that candidates vying for different seats are legally required to collaborate with IEBC on their campaign programs, including meetings and rallies.
“What we want to protect the students from is disruptions of political activities. Since candidates, as per the law, are required to work with IEBC on their campaign program, including campaign meetings, IEBC will help us work out the campaign schedule in such a way that the meetings and barazas will be far away from education institutions so that they don’t disrupt schools and students who are preparing for their exams.”
IEBC had earlier announced official campaign timelines, set to run from October 8 to November 24, 2025, ending 48 hours before voting day.
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Campaign activities will be limited to the hours between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. IEBC Chairperson Erastus Ethekon had also instructed independent candidates to submit the names of their agents at least 14 days before the by-election to allow for proper processing and training, aiming for a smooth electoral process.
The 2025 by-elections will cover 23 vacancies — including six National Assembly seats, one Senate seat, and 16 county assembly (MCA) positions — caused by deaths and appointments to other roles.
2025 national examinations schedule
On the other hand, the 2025 national examinations are scheduled to take place over the course of several weeks, beginning in late October.
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KCSE exams’ rehearsal is set for October 21, with the main exams running from October 27 to November 21. For KJSEA, the rehearsal is set for October 24, while the exams will be conducted from October 27 to November 3.
KPLEA’s rehearsal will also be held on October 24, with exams scheduled between October 27 and October 30. Similarly, KPSEA will have its rehearsal on October 24, followed by exams from October 27 to October 29. KILEA’s rehearsal will be held on October 24, with exams running from October 28 to October 30.
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