CS Ogamba issues warning against cheating ahead of national exams
Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba has warned teachers and education stakeholders against exam malpractice as the country gears up for the national examination period starting in October 2025.
Speaking on Sunday, October 5, 2025, during World Teachers’ Day in Kasarani, Ogamba called on teachers to ensure the integrity and credibility of examinations are upheld, as he promised teachers full government support in executing their mandate.
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“As always, we look forward to your support in delivering a seamless and credible examination and assessment process. Let us work together to ensure that the outcome reflects the honest work of our students,” he appealed.
The CS’s warning comes after the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) issued a public alert over fake exam papers circulating on social media ahead of the 2025 national examinations.
In a statement released on Friday, September 5, 2025, the council warned parents, teachers, and candidates against falling for the fraudulent materials, stressing that they are not from KNEC.
The CS highlighted that the stakes for examination credibility were higher in 2025, particularly because it would be the first time the Kenya Junior School Education Assessment (KJSEA) exams were being administered.
KJSEA and the Kenya Pre-Vocational Level Education Assessment (KPVLEA) will be conducted over nine days, starting on October 27, 2025, and concluding on November 6, 2025.
These exams are particularly critical in measuring the progress of learners under the CBC, to guide their transitions to the next grades.
The 2025 national assessments
Away from exam malpractice, the CS confirmed that 1,298,089 learners would be sitting the Kenya Primary School Education Assessment (KPSEA), while the inaugural KJSEA will see 1,130,669 students take part.
Meanwhile, at least 996,078 students will sit the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE).
Ogamba said the government has upped measures to curb examination cheating, with serious repercussions slapped on individuals and institutions found culpable.
In 2024, the education ministry announced the personalisation of examination papers and the confiscation of all mobile phones in the examination centre as some of the biggest measures to curb exam malpractice.
Additionally, Ogamba said that the government would also undertake surveillance on social media to take immediate action against any reports or signs of exam malpractice.
The CS also announced that the constitution of special courts to prosecute those caught cheating in exams.
In line with previous Ministry directives, Term 3 remains a restricted period for school activities, meaning all non-essential activities and visits to secondary schools are banned throughout the term.
