KNEC enforces strict rules as KCSE exam marking begins

KNEC CEO Dr David Njengere during the 2nd Annual Symposium on Competency-Based Assessment on April 22, 2025. [Kanyiri Wahito, Standard]

With the completion of this year’s national examinations, focus now turns to the marking of the papers in 40 centres across the country.  

The Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) is enforcing strict rules to safeguard credibility, starting with the disqualification of examiners from centres where cheating was reported.

According to KNEC, examiners from schools flagged for involvement in Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) irregularities have been removed from the 2025 marking roster. The affected teachers have been informed of the move. 

Invigilators and supervisors from compromised centres last year and this year are also being removed from the marking exercise.

This year, 32,558 examiners will undertake the KCSE marking, guided by detailed requirements around accuracy, speed and confidentiality. All scripts will undergo strict double-checking and validation before final results are approved.

To enhance fairness, all candidates’ names and index numbers will be removed before marking. The identification slips will be torn off and packed separately after each paper.

Some of the measures KNEC has put in place include a full supervisory chain where all examiners, except those in charge, will work under senior examiners and must follow their instructions.

Mobile phones are banned in marking rooms and will be kept under supervision. Examiners must stay at the marking centres unless cleared by KNEC.

Examiners are barred from discussing marking matters on social media or with the press, and everyone entering or leaving a marking centre will undergo security checks.

Further, they must disclose any connection to candidates or centres to avoid conflict.

KNEC boss David Njengere said the council will only retain examiners who uphold the highest levels of integrity.

“Any examiner who presents false claims or attempts to defraud the Council will be dismissed instantly. Future engagements will depend on how well one observes the rules and regulations,” he said.

The 2025 KCSE saw the introduction of personalised exam papers, each printed with the candidate’s details. This measure prevents impersonation.

KNEC also introduced distinct packaging for morning and afternoon papers to guarantee secure handling and tracking.

In this year’s KCSE, 418 candidates were caught engaging in malpractice, down from 614 the previous year, a decline the Ministry of Education attributes to tougher surveillance and more meticulous planning.