- KNEC has warned that widespread irregularities at a centre could lead to cancellation of an entire assessment or its results.
- The council has reiterated that calculators are banned in all KPSEA papers, including Mathematics.
- KNEC has set penalties of up to 10 years in prison or a Sh2 million fine for unlawfully sharing assessment materials, with the 2026 KPSEA scheduled for October 26 to 29.
The Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) has issued a stern warning to schools, candidates and assessment officials ahead of the 2026 Kenya Primary School Education Assessment (KPSEA), cautioning that examination misconduct could have consequences for an entire assessment centre.
Under the assessment regulations, KNEC has the authority to cancel an entire assessment, selected papers, or the results of candidates at a centre where it establishes that irregularities were widespread or that the circumstances surrounding the administration of the assessment were unsatisfactory. The warning places greater responsibility on school administrators, centre managers, supervisors and other assessment officials to ensure that the KPSEA process is conducted strictly within the rules.
The implications are significant because misconduct by a few individuals could potentially affect the results of other candidates who followed the regulations. KNEC has warned that where irregularities are found to be widespread, candidates at the affected centre could all face consequences, depending on the nature and extent of the breach. Individual candidates found guilty of misconduct, dishonesty or other assessment irregularities may also be removed from the assessment and barred from continuing with the remaining papers.
Double registration has been identified as an assessment irregularity that could lead to a candidate’s disqualification. Schools have therefore been urged to ensure that candidate details are accurately captured and verified before the assessment begins, with the responsibility extending beyond candidates to school administrators and assessment officials, who are expected to ensure registration and assessment records meet KNEC requirements.
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The council has also reiterated that calculators are prohibited in all KPSEA papers, including Mathematics, and candidates are expected to prepare and sit the assessments using only materials and equipment permitted under the official regulations. Schools have been urged to ensure learners understand the rules in advance to avoid preventable violations during the assessment.
Confidentiality Breaches Attract Heavy Penalties
Another area attracting serious attention is the handling of confidential assessment materials. KNEC rules prohibit individuals who gain access to assessment materials from knowingly sharing their contents with unauthorised persons. Those found guilty of unlawfully sharing assessment materials could face a prison sentence of up to 10 years, a fine of up to Sh2 million, or both.
The regulations also provide penalties for anyone who wilfully and maliciously damages assessment materials, an offence that could attract a prison term of up to two years, a fine of up to Sh5 million, or both, depending on the circumstances. The strict provisions demonstrate the importance attached to protecting assessment materials and maintaining the integrity of the national assessment process.
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KPSEA Set for October 26 to 29
The warning comes as schools and learners prepare for the 2026 KPSEA, scheduled to run from October 26 to 29. The assessment is a key component of Kenya’s Competency-Based Education (CBE) system and is intended to provide information on learners’ progress as they advance through the basic education cycle.
KNEC’s latest position places centre managers, supervisors, teachers and candidates on notice ahead of the assessment. Schools are expected to sensitise learners and staff on the regulations and ensure proper procedures are followed before, during and after the administration of the papers. For candidates, the message is clear: individual misconduct can lead to serious sanctions, while widespread irregularities could put the results of an entire centre at risk. The measures are aimed at protecting the credibility of national assessments and ensuring that KPSEA results accurately reflect learners’ abilities and progress.
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