The 2026 national examinations and assessments will involve a record 3.6 million candidates, putting the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) under greater pressure to ensure the exercise is well coordinated, secure and free from malpractice.
KNEC Chief Executive Officer Dr. David Njengere announced the record registration during a high-level stakeholders’ meeting on Friday, August 7, 2026, convened to assess the country’s preparedness for this year’s national assessments and the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examination.
The number marks the largest candidature ever handled by the examinations council and is expected to require enhanced planning, coordination and security measures throughout the examination process.
The meeting was chaired by Basic Education Principal Secretary John Ololtuaa, who said the government was committed to ensuring that the examinations are administered in a credible, secure and fair manner.
“KNEC Chief Executive Officer, Dr. David Njengere announced that the Council has registered approximately 3.6 million candidates for this year’s national assessments and the KCSE examination, the largest candidature in KNEC’s history,” KNEC noted.
Ololtuaa stressed the need for close cooperation among all agencies and groups involved in the administration of the examinations, including education officials, school heads, parents and security agencies.
“KNEC and all stakeholders will receive the necessary support from the Ministry of Education to ensure the assessments and examinations are administered efficiently, fairly and with the highest level of integrity,” the PS said.
Njengere said the high number of candidates presents a major logistical task for KNEC, making careful preparation and coordination necessary to ensure the examinations run smoothly.
The stakeholders’ meeting brought together senior Ministry of Education officials and representatives of key education groups, including the Kenya Secondary School Heads Association (KESSHA), Kenya Comprehensive School Heads Association (KECSHA), Kenya Private Schools Association (KPSA), Special School Heads Association of Kenya (SSHAK) and the National Parents Association (NPA).
Participants reviewed the country’s readiness for the examinations, with discussions focusing on the security of examination materials, management of candidates and measures to protect the integrity of the assessment process.
The 2026 examination cycle comes as the education sector continues to implement reforms under the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC), while KCSE remains in place for secondary school candidates.
KNEC said continued engagement with education stakeholders is aimed at strengthening confidence in national examinations and ensuring candidates sit the assessments in fair, transparent and secure conditions.