- Njeng’ere told the High Court that 303 Gatoto learners will sit KPSEA and KJSEA, saying registration is closed and exam materials are already printed.
- KNEC said candidate records cannot be altered as it would amount to tampering with examination records, with personalised answer sheets already prepared.
“All these materials have already been printed. They are in our warehouse, and they are going to be dispatched next week to the distribution centres.”-David Njeng’ere, KNEC CEO
The Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) has assured the High Court that 303 learners at Gatoto School will sit their national assessments despite an ongoing dispute over the institution’s management.
KNEC Chief Executive Officer Dr David Njeng’ere told the court that preparations for the Kenya Primary School Education Assessment (KPSEA) and Kenya Junior School Education Assessment (KJSEA) had progressed too far to allow changes to candidates’ registration details or examination centre records.
Njeng’ere said the learners were registered between February 16 and March 31, 2026, after which KNEC generated a nominal roll containing their examination details.
The candidates signed the roll to confirm their names, assessment numbers, subjects, gender, nationality and disability status, while the centre manager certified that they were genuine learners at the school.
“The centre manager is very critical,” Njeng’ere told the court, explaining that the official is responsible for confirming candidates’ identities before they are handed over to examination supervisors.
He said the records could not now be altered to accommodate changes arising from the management dispute.
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“No, you cannot change any details here. Actually, it is against the law because that would be tampering with the examination records,” Njeng’ere said.
The court heard that examination materials for the 303 candidates had already been printed and were being stored at a KNEC warehouse awaiting dispatch to distribution centres.
“All these materials have already been printed. They are in our warehouse, and they are going to be dispatched next week to the distribution centres,” Njeng’ere said.
He added that personalised answer sheets had also been prepared, bearing each candidate’s name, assessment number and Gatoto’s examination centre code.
The court was told that the first examination is scheduled for October 26, with preparations and briefings already underway.
The dispute has partly centred on who should serve as Gatoto’s examination centre manager. Njeng’ere said the Teachers Service Commission is responsible for identifying and vetting centre managers, supervisors and invigilators.
During cross-examination by lawyer Danstan Omari, a KNEC regional director said the new school management had sought transfer of examination and school credentials, but the regional office lacked authority to effect the changes.
He described relations with the new management as strained but said officials remained willing to engage for the learners’ sake.
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“For the interest of the learner we are ready to engage, we are ready to consult, we are ready to cooperate,” he said.
Njeng’ere urged the parties to keep the 303 candidates at the centre of the dispute. “These are children, 303 children. The children must sit their exams,” he said.
The parties were directed to prepare a consent on how the examinations will be conducted. The case will be mentioned virtually on September 30 at 9 am to record the consent.
By Masaki Enock
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