CS Ogamba assures of credible national  exams

Education CS Julius Ogamba has assured parents, teachers and learners in the country that the government has taken comprehensive measures to ensure KPSEA and KJSEA assessments, as well as KCSE examinations, are conducted smoothly, securely, fairly and with the highest standards of integrity.

Ogamba disclosed that the government had strengthened the security of examination materials, where they had rolled out the smart electronic padlocks at examination storage containers.

The CS also cited colour coding of assessment and examination materials and use of personalised question papers to anonymise the candidates’ identities, together with improved procedures for handling examination scripts.

He further said the government had expanded the network of examination storage containers to improve accessibility and reduce distance travelled by examination officials to collect materials to ensure timely distribution to examination centres.

“As part of these preparations, the government has strengthened the security of examination materials through the rollout of smart electronic padlocks in all examination storage containers, colour coding of assessment and examination materials and use of personalised question papers,” said Ogamba, while addressing the media when he witnessed the opening of the KNEC examination container and distribution of the Kenya Primary School Education Assessment (KPSEA) and Kenya Junior School Education Assessment (KJSEA) in Makindu Subcounty on Monday.

“Also, we have expanded the network of examination storage containers to improve accessibility, reduce distance travelled by examination officials when collecting materials and facilitate timely distribution, particularly in remote and hard-to-reach areas,” he stated.

The CS revealed that 3,634,846 learners and candidates have been registered for this year’s national examinations, including 1,380,463 for KPSEA and 1,206,028 for KJSEA, while another 1,048,355 are registered under the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE), respectively.

During the media briefing, Ogamba said KPSEA will be administered for 3 days starting October 26 to 28, while KJSEA will be conducted up to Friday, October 30, 2026, noting that security officials will only escort exam materials to the examination centres and back to the containers, but not will stationed at the centres.

“These assessments are particularly significant in the implementation of the Competence-based Education (CBE). KPSEA assesses learners’ progress at the end of grade 6, while KJSEA provides an important measure of competencies acquired by Grade 9 learners as they prepare to transition to Senior school. Both assessments are intended to support learning progression and should be administered in an environment that enables learners to demonstrate their abilities confidently,” he added.

Later, the CS visited Kiambani Comprehensive School to monitor the administration of assessments, accompanied by multi-agency teams from various ministries. He observed that the examinations and assessments will be done smoothly, securely and orderly.

On the stand-off between South Eastern University of Kenya (SEKU) and Makueni University College (MUCO), Ogamba disclosed that he had already constituted a team ready to find a lasting solution and ensure students continue learning.

“I am going to engage the parties involved to ensure that we get a resolution as soon as possible. Possibly between today and tomorrow, I have a team ready to give me a solution so that we don’t have students going back to the streets. I urge them to remain calm for a few days as we resolve the issue,” he stated.

Last week, some 419 students from Makueni University College engaged in a street demonstration in Wote Town after the SEKU Vice Chancellor directed them to relocate to the SEKU main campus in Kitui.

However, they vowed to stay put, saying relocation to Kitui would negatively impact them, especially during these hard economic times.

Lecturers who used to teach them have since been recalled to the SEKU main campus in Kitui, with MUCO management now turning to part-time lecturers to continue teaching, even as they await an amicable solution to the prevailing problem.

By Patrick Nyakundi