More than 2.5 million learners began the 2026 Kenya Primary School Education Assessment (KPSEA) and Kenya Junior School Education Assessment (KJSEA) on Monday, October 26. Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Migos Ogamba used the opening day to warn parents and candidates against people claiming to sell examination papers in advance.

Ogamba spoke in Makueni County, where he flagged off the distribution of the first papers at the Makindu sub-county commissioner's office before visiting candidates at Kiambani Comprehensive School. He told parents that no one has early access to the papers and that people asking for money in exchange for so-called leaks are running a scam.

"Such claims are fraudulent," Ogamba said, according to The Eastleigh Voice, urging anyone with information on the sellers "to report the matter promptly to relevant authorities."

3.6 million candidates across three exams

Figures released by the CS put this year's total candidature at 3,634,846 across the three national examinations. KPSEA, sat by Grade 6 learners, has 1,380,463 candidates, while 1,206,028 Grade 9 learners are registered for KJSEA. The Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE), whose oral and practical papers began on October 19, has 1,048,355 candidates.

KPSEA runs for three days and ends on Wednesday, October 28, while KJSEA ends on Friday, October 30. KCSE written papers are scheduled from November 2 to November 20, TV47 reported.

On the first morning, KPSEA candidates sat Mathematics and then an English paper after a 30-minute break, while KJSEA learners opened with English language followed by English composition, according to the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC).

Tough line on malpractice

Ogamba said the government "will not tolerate any examination malpractice in any form or manner," and warned that centre managers, supervisors, invigilators and other officials caught in irregularities would face criminal or administrative action.

The ministry says smart electronic padlocks have been fitted on examination storage containers, distribution networks have been expanded and the movement of materials is being monitored more closely. It has also worked with the Ministry of Interior and KNEC on contingency plans for heavy rain, flooding, insecurity and difficult terrain, a concern as the short rains set in across several counties.

How the results will be worked out

KNEC Chief Executive David Njengere told candidates over the weekend that the national paper alone will not decide their final results. For KJSEA, 60 per cent of the final score will come from the national assessment, 20 per cent from school-based assessments done in Grades 7 and 8, and 20 per cent from the learner's earlier KPSEA result, Kenyans.co.ke reported.

KPSEA does not decide which school a learner joins; every Grade 6 pupil moves to Grade 7 under the government's 100 per cent transition policy. Its score instead counts for 20 per cent of the later senior school placement mark. Results under the competency-based system are reported in four bands, from "exceeding expectations" to "below expectations", rather than the old marks and grades.

Njengere also noted that this year's KCSE candidates are among the last cohorts of the 8-4-4 system, which is being phased out.

Churches call for firm action

The National Council of Churches of Kenya, through General Secretary Rev Canon Chris Kinyanjui, urged the ministry and KNEC to act firmly against cheating and leaks. The council asked why the public had not been told what happened to the 78 people arrested in 2025 for allegedly sharing exam material on social media, and called for better pay and conditions for teachers who mark national exams.

Photos: The Eastleigh Voice, TV47