Govt steps up surveillance on social media as KCSE exams continue
By Cynthia Lodite, November 4, 2025The Ministry of Interior and National Administration has set up surveillance on social media in a move to curb malpractice as the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Examination continues across the country.
In a statement on the Ministry of Interior official X account on Tuesday, November 4, 2025, Internal Security and National Administration Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo revealed that the government is actively monitoring the digital spaces.
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The ministry added that the multi-agency National Command Centre for Examinations Security is in a bid to identify and deter any criminal elements seeking to compromise exam integrity.
“As national examinations continue, the multi-agency National Command Centre for Examinations Security, operating from the Ministry of Interior and National Administration, is actively monitoring the digital space to identify and deter any criminal elements seeking to compromise their integrity,” the statement indicated.
KCSE update
Meanwhile, this comes as KCSE enters the second day of written examinations across various parts of the country. To curb cheating, the Kenya National Examination Council (KNEC) introduced smart digital padlocks to strengthen security and transparency
Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba announced that for the first time, KNEC is piloting the digital padlocks in 250 examination storage containers nationwide.
According to the Education Ministry, the high-tech locks are linked to the KNEC command centre, enabling real-time tracking of when each container is opened and closed.
While digital spaces are monitored across the country, this year’s KCSE comes with slight changes in the issuance of certificates to students.
Students across Kenya will soon collect their national examination certificates from sub-county education offices rather than their former schools, marking one of the most significant shifts in education administration in recent years.
The decision, confirmed by the Ministry of Education, is part of a broader effort to end disputes between learners and school principals over withheld certificates, a challenge that has persisted despite government directives declaring the practice illegal.
For years, thousands of students have been unable to access their KCPE and KCSE certificates due to unpaid school fees, locking them out of job opportunities or further studies.
The new system seeks to eliminate such frustrations once and for all.
The directive came after a question raised in Parliament by Funyula MP Wilberforce Oundo, who sought clarification on why students continue to face difficulties obtaining their certificates.
He challenged the government to adopt a centralised model similar to other digital public services.
“If citizens can get IDs and birth certificates through centralised systems, there is no reason exam certificates should still be trapped in schools,” Oundo said.
In response, Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba told Parliament that his ministry had already developed a plan to distribute certificates through sub-county offices to improve access and fairness.
“We have seen cases where school heads deny students certificates over unpaid fees, despite clear government regulations. By moving the collection to sub-county offices, we will ensure that every learner receives their document without unnecessary hurdles,” Ogamba explained.