CS Ogamba calls for joint effort in national exams administration
By Nancy Marende, October 21, 2025Education Cabinet Secretary (CS) Ogamba has urged all education stakeholders to work together to ensure the smooth and successful administration of this year’s national examinations.
Speaking after briefing President William Samoei Ruto at State House, Nairobi, on Tuesday, October 21, 2025, the CS confirmed that the Ministry of Education is fully prepared for the 2025 national assessments.
Also watch: KCSE kicks off as over 960,000 candidates begin national exams
“I confirmed that all arrangements for the 2025 assessments are complete and expressed confidence that all stakeholders, candidates, teachers, parents, invigilators, and supervisors will work together to ensure a smooth and successful exercise,” he stated.
Furthermore, he stated that this year’s examinations mark a significant milestone in Kenya’s education calendar as the first cohort of Grade 9 learners sit the Kenya Junior School Education Assessment (KJSEA).
They will join candidates for the Kenya Primary School Education Assessment (KPSEA, Grade 6), the Kenya Integrated Learners Education Assessment (KILEA), the Kenya Pre-Vocational Level Education Assessment, and the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE, Form 4).
Also present during the briefing was Prof. Julius Bitok, Principal Secretary for the State Department for Basic Education.
KNEC
The Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) has published the official schedule for the 2025 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examinations, ahead of the beginning of the oral and practical assessments for candidates across the country.
In a statement released on Tuesday, October 21, 2025, the council confirmed that the oral and practical phases of the KCSE will run from October 21 to October 27, 2025, starting with language and performance‑based subjects.
Watch: KNEC releases 2025 KCSE timetable as oral and practical exams begin nationwide
This initial phase is particularly aimed at candidates who sit language-based and performance-orientated subjects.
KNEC emphasised that examination centres must ensure full preparedness in logistics and supervision so that the assessments proceed without incident.
In 2025, KNEC expects 996,078 KCSE candidates, while 1,298,089 will sit for KPSEA and 1,130,669 for the newly introduced KJSEA.
Ogamba previously announced strict measures to curb cheating, including the personalisation of exam papers and a ban on phones at exam centres.
This marks a crucial period for thousands of candidates preparing to complete their secondary school journey.