2025 national exams: Police vow to help KNEC seal cheating loopholes
The National Police Service (NPS) has vowed to collaborate with the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) to protect the examination materials.
In a statement on Saturday, October 18, 2025, NPS indicated that various security officers are ready to work in tandem with KNEC officials to ensure that the 2025 national examinations are administered efficiently and effectively.
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Besides safeguarding the exam materials, the police service also pledged to provide security measures to various personnel who will help administer the tests.
“With the national examinations fast approaching, the National Police Service is working collaboratively with the Kenya National Examinations Council and other stakeholders to ensure the safety and security of personnel and examination materials,” NPS stated.
Transporting materials
As part of the exercise, security officers escorted exam materials to all centres across the country and started guarding the storage containers in the previous week.
“Over the past week, police have been escorting officials and transporting examination materials across the country, as well as guarding storage containers. They will also provide security at examination centres once the tests commence to prevent any disruptions,” the police further explained.
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“The National Police Service (NPS) values its long-standing collaboration with KNEC and remains committed to providing unwavering support, within its mandate, to ensure the integrity of the examination process.”
Exam timelines
In the initial programme, the 2025 national examinations and assessments were set to begin on Friday, October 17, 2025, and conclude on Friday, November 21, 2025.
With the government declaring Friday, October 17, 2025, following Raila Odinga’s death, the tests resume on Tuesday, October 21, 2025, after Mashujaa Day celebrations on Monday, October 20, 2025.
According to KNEC, a total of 996,078 candidates have registered for the Kenya Certificate for Secondary Education (KCSE) exams in 2025.
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In addition, 1,298,089 candidates will sit the Kenya Primary School Education Assessment (KPSEA), while 1,130,669 learners, the first cohort under the Competency-Based Education, will take part in the inaugural KJSEA.
In total, 3,424,836 candidates are scheduled to sit for the national exams and assessments in 2025.
To give the candidates a secure environment, the government will deploy at least two officers at each KCSE examination centre.
Smart padlocks will be used in the storage containers to prevent exam malpractices.
“To further strengthen the security of examination materials, KNEC will pilot the use of digital smart padlocks in 250 containers this year. The officers assigned to manage these containers will undergo training on the use of these padlocks,” KNEC CEO David Njengere stated during the launch of the 2025 national examinations.
