KCSE Written Exams Kick Off Nationwide

The 2026 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) written examination has commenced across the country. 

Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba on Monday, November 2, witnessed the opening of an examination container and the distribution of KCSE examination materials at the Borabu Sub-County Deputy County Commissioner’s Office in Nyamira County. 

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CS Ogamba later visited St. Kizito Nyansiongo Boys Senior School in Nyamira to monitor the administration of the examination. 

“This morning, I witnessed the opening of the KNEC examination container and distribution of KCSE examination materials at the Borabu Sub-County Deputy County Commissioner’s Office in Nyamira County. I later visited St. Kizito Nyansiongo Boys Senior School to monitor the administration of the examinations,” Ogamba stated. 

The written KCSE examinations kicked off with English (Functional Skills) and will be followed by Chemistry Paper 1 in the afternoon.

CS Ogamba also said it’s the first time candidates sitting for the KCSE examination have surpassed one million. 

According to the Education CS, a total of 1,048,355 candidates had registered for this year's examination, up from 995,860 in 2025 and 965,172 in 2024.

“Today marks the commencement of the main written papers of the 2026 KCSE examination. For the first time in history, candidature has surpassed one million, standing at 1,048,355, up from 995,860 in 2025 and 965,172 in 2024.

“This represents a 5.27 per cent increase from last year, underscoring the growing scale of this national exercise and our collective responsibility to ensure its successful administration,” CS Ogamba added. 

The 2026 KCSE began on Friday, October 19, with oral, practical, and selective technical subjects. 

Meanwhile, the written KCSE exams will conclude on Friday, November 20, 2026. 

On October 5, CS Ogamba said the government will put in place measures to avert disruptions to the examination and assessment processes. 

“As we are all aware, the weatherman has warned us of impending El Niño rains. We must, therefore, put in place all appropriate measures to avert disruptions to the examination and assessment processes on account of the heavy rains anticipated,” said CS Ogamba. 

He also mentioned that they will use a whole-of-government approach to deal with the challenges during the exam period. 

“Field officers from all the relevant Ministries and agencies shall be on standby to provide whatever support that will be required to ensure that our processes run seamlessly and that none of our candidates are unnecessarily disadvantaged,” CS Ogamba added.