The Kenyan government has initiated measures to safeguard the 2026 national examinations and assessments from potential disruptions caused by the forecasted El Nino rains. Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba announced that the government is taking a Whole-of-Government approach, involving relevant stakeholders to respond to challenges arising from the weather. This approach aims to ensure that the examination and assessment processes are not disrupted.
The number of learners sitting national examinations and assessments has increased to 3,634,846, up from the previous year. This rise in candidature has heightened the logistical demands on the administration of the examination season. The Kenya Primary School Education Assessment has the highest candidature at 1,380,463 learners, followed by the Kenya Junior School Education Assessment with 1,206,028 learners, and 1,048,355 candidates have registered for the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education.
To mitigate the potential impact of El Nino rains, the government has expanded storage capacity for examination and assessment materials by installing 48 additional containers in subcounties. This brings the total number of containers to 701, up from 653. The additional storage capacity is intended to strengthen the logistics around the distribution and handling of examination materials.
Field officers from relevant ministries and agencies will be on standby to provide support and ensure that the examination and assessment processes run seamlessly. Ogamba emphasized that all field officers involved in administering the examinations and assessments will undergo comprehensive briefings to prepare them for the challenges expected during this year's examination season.
The government has warned that heavy rains could interfere with the movement and administration of examinations, particularly in areas likely to experience severe weather. To address this, the Kenya National Examinations Council will operate a toll-free number throughout the examination season to facilitate instant communication of challenges encountered across the country.
Ogamba also warned candidates, centre managers, supervisors, and invigilators against examination malpractice, emphasizing that all those involved must comply with regulations. He stressed that the government would have no mercy on anyone found engaging in examination malpractice, with those who breach the regulations subject to the full force of the law.
The 2026 examination season is expected to be the biggest in the country's history, with the government continuing to roll out the Competency-Based Education system. The involvement of ministries, departments, and agencies, professional associations, and parents will be critical in ensuring that examinations and assessments are administered with integrity, credibility, and efficiency.
Key points
- The Kenyan government has added 48 storage containers to shield national exams from El Nino disruptions.
- Field officers from relevant ministries and agencies will be on standby to support the examination process.
- The 2026 examination season will have the biggest cohort of candidates in the country's history.
