The Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) has officially opened digital registration for the 2026 national examinations, marking a major step in streamlining the enrolment process under the Competency-Based Curriculum.
School heads are now required to register candidates through KNEC’s computer-based assessment portal, with strict timelines and verification measures in place to ensure accuracy and accountability.
The Ministry of Education confirmed that registration is underway for three key assessments: the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE), the Kenya Primary School Education Assessment (KPSEA), and the Kenya Junior School Education Assessment (KJSEA).
School administrators have been directed to complete the exercise online within the set deadlines to avoid penalties or complications later in the year.
For Grade Six learners taking the KPSEA, registration opened on February 16 and will close on March 16, 2026.
KCSE registration started on the same day but will remain open until March 31. Registration for KJSEA candidates began later, on March 2, and will also run through March 31, 2026.
Education officials describe this registration period as a critical preparatory stage ahead of the national examinations, which continue to be administered under the competency-based education system.
KNEC has emphasized the importance of accuracy in candidate information, noting that no changes will be permitted after May 22, 2026. “Requests for amendments to registration data will not be considered after May 22, 2026,” the council warned in a notice to schools, urging administrators to carefully verify all submissions.
To enhance accountability, KNEC has introduced several new measures for KJSEA registration. These include mandatory SMS-based one-time password (OTP) verification, uploading learners’ Grade Five assessment scores, and ensuring parental consent is obtained before submitting candidate information.
The council said these steps aim to prevent situations where parents only realize, close to the examination period, that their children were not registered. To further address this, KNEC plans to roll out an SMS verification system in April 2026, allowing parents to confirm their children’s registration status during the school holidays. Families will then have time to report any discrepancies to schools before the examination process advances.
The new system reflects KNEC’s commitment to improving transparency, ensuring all learners are properly enrolled, and safeguarding the integrity of national examinations.