The main written papers of the 2026 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examinations have officially started across the country, with more than one million candidates sitting for the national tests.
Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba oversaw the opening of an examination container and the distribution of examination materials at the Borabu Sub-County Deputy County Commissioner’s Office in Nyamira County on Monday, November 2.
Ogamba later visited St. Kizito Nyansiongo Boys Senior School in Nyamira to assess the administration of the examinations.
2026 KCSE Written Exams Kick Off Across Kenya. Photo: Courtesy.
In an update, the CS confirmed that the exercise had commenced smoothly, noting that he had personally witnessed the distribution of examination materials before visiting the school.
The first paper on Monday was English (Functional Skills), followed by Chemistry Paper 1 in the afternoon.
Ogamba also announced that this year’s KCSE candidature had crossed the one-million mark for the first time in the history of the national examination.
A total of 1,048,355 candidates registered for the 2026 examination, compared to 995,860 in 2025 and 965,172 in 2024.
The latest figures represent a 5.27 per cent increase in candidature compared to last year.
According to the Education CS, the rising number of candidates highlights the growing scale of the national examination and the responsibility of stakeholders to ensure its successful administration.
The 2026 KCSE examinations commenced on October 19 with oral, practical and selected technical subjects.
The main written examinations will run until Friday, November 20, 2026.
