KNEC flags 18 counties as El Nino threatens exams

Eighteen counties have been identified as high-risk areas ahead of the 2026 national examinations, with the government preparing for El Niño rains expected to coincide with the examination period.

The weather threat comes as more than 3.5 million candidates prepare to sit the 2026 national assessments and examinations, with 1,300,864 registered for KPSEA, 1,193,200 for KJSEA and 1,049,276 for KCSE, bringing the combined candidature for the three examinations to 3,543,340.

The warning is contained in a preparedness brief signed by Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) chief executive Dr David Njengere, which identifies the areas likely to be affected and outlines measures to prevent disruptions during the examination period.

The areas identified as high risk include Tana River, Kilifi, Lamu, Mombasa and Kwale in the Coast region; Turkana, Baringo, West Pokot and Narok in the Rift Valley; Nairobi; Kisumu, Busia, Siaya, Homa Bay and Migori in Nyanza; and Garissa, Wajir and Mandera in North Eastern.

KNEC has also singled out Marsabit, Marakwet East, Makueni and Kitui-Mwingi East because of their previous experience with severe rains during examination seasons.

The Council said the weather threat was particularly significant because the anticipated rains are expected to occur at the same time as the administration of the 2026 national assessments and examinations.

“The El-Nino rains are expected to be experienced between end of September 2026 and January 2027, which coincides with the National field administration season for the 2026 KPSEA; KILEA; KJSEA; KPLEA and KCSE examinations,” KNEC said.

To deal with the threat, KNEC has developed an Emergency Response Plan aimed at identifying areas likely to be affected and putting in place measures to minimise disruptions.

The Council said the plan was developed with the aim of identifying “the risks likely to be experienced in all parts of the country that can affect field administration of assessments and examination” as well as the mitigation measures required.

The plan covers the transportation and storage of examination materials, administration of papers to candidates and operations at marking centres.

KNEC said its emergency plan is process-based, covering activities that will be undertaken during the anticipated El Niño period, including movement and storage of assessment and examination materials, daily conduct of examinations and assessments, and marking, processing and release of candidates’ results.

The Council has identified several risks that could disrupt the examination process, including flooding, flash floods, storm surges, infrastructure damage, displacement and landslides.

Other threats include disease outbreaks, blocked drainage systems, pressure on infrastructure and disruption of essential services.

“The identified risks that could affect KNEC operations include: flooding, flash floods, storm surges, infrastructure damages, displacement, landslides, disease outbreaks, drainage blockages, infrastructure strain and service disruptions,” the Council said.

KNEC is now working with education officials and security agencies at the county and sub-county levels to identify areas requiring special interventions before the examinations begin.

The measures could include establishing additional storage facilities for examination materials and moving candidates from high-risk areas to safer locations.

The Council said it was working with the Ministry of Education’s regional, county and sub-county directors “to identify areas requiring specialised strategies such as installation of additional storage facilities and relocation of candidates in risk areas to safer locations, so as to ensure that no candidate is disadvantaged.”

The Ministry of Education has also committed to responding quickly to problems that may arise during the examination period, with the safety of candidates and examination personnel given priority.

“The Ministry of Education is committed to ensuring rapid response to any emerging issues that may arise during field administration of the 2026 National assessments and examination,” KNEC said.

It added that priority would be given to “the safety of candidates, field personnel and materials.

However, the emergency preparations could require additional funding, with KNEC revealing that the money had not been included in the current financial year’s budget.

“The Ministry is also working closely with the National Treasury towards sourcing of the additional funding required to ensure successful administration of the assessments and examination,” the Council said, noting that the funding had not been provided for under the FY 2026/2027 budgetary allocation.

The preparations come as KNEC seeks to ensure that weather-related disruptions do not interfere with the administration of national examinations or disadvantage candidates in areas vulnerable to heavy rains.

The 2026 KCSE examination cycle begins with oral and practical papers in October, while the main written papers follow later in the examination calendar. KPSEA, KJSEA, KILEA and KPLEA will also be administered during the wider October-to-January field administration period.