JULIUS BITOK ASSURES EXAM SAFETY

The 2025 KCSE examination officially began on Monday.
The national launch of the exams was led by Education Cabinet Secretary, Julius Ogamba, who presided over the opening of the first KCSE container in Matuga Constituency, Kwale County.

The exams usher in a key academic milestone for 996,078 candidates. He assured of a smooth exercise, adding that the ministry had strengthened security and ensured efficient distribution of exam materials to all centres across the country.

In the meantime, Basic Education PS Julius Bitok oversaw the start of exams at Westlands DCC in Nairobi, assuring that the ministry was committed to conducting a credible, smooth and transparent examination process in every corner of the country.

"We are doing everything possible to ensure that we deliver a credible exam," said Bitok. "We are pulling every resource to ensure that invigilation, adjudication, credibility, and the integrity of the examination process are protected."

The PS reassured the council that the government had adequately deployed teachers and personnel to provide the necessary supervision and ensure fairness in the KCSE examinations.

He added that most of the KJSEA examinations will be marked electronically, and marking will take about 40 days to allow time for transition planning to senior school.

“We are starting the marking immediately, as soon as we finish the KJSEA today, the marking begins tomorrow,” said Bitok.

On school fees, the PS assured parents that there would be no increase in costs for senior schools and that any adjustments would be minor, pegged on the new academic system.

"We are not expecting any significant difference in fees. There could be marginal differences depending on the three pathways, STEM, Social Sciences, and Arts and Sports, but overall, the difference will be minimal," he said.

The PS further addressed the challenges posed by the ongoing heavy rains and flooding in some regions, confirming the ministry’s arrangements to ensure all candidates sit for their exams without distraction. “We have made arrangements to deliver exams to areas severely affected by floods, with some being airlifted by choppers,” he said. He has also expressed his sadness over the death of 14 students after a mudslide incident in Elgeyo Marakwet County, promising to visit personally to ensure exams are delivered. The results for KPSEA and KJSEA will be announced in December 2025, while those for KCSE will be released in January 2026.KJSEA ends today, while KCSE is set to end on November 21.