The Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) has announced that candidates intending to sit for the 2025 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examination must complete their registration by March 28, 2025.
According to KNEC, the registration process, which officially began on February 17, will be conducted entirely online. Schools and examination centres are required to log into the KNEC portal using their credentials to submit candidates’ details.
This announcement comes amid an ongoing legal battle regarding the July KCSE series. The High Court recently suspended its implementation following a petition challenging the process over a lack of public participation. Initially intended for repeat candidates seeking to improve their grades, the July series required full repeaters to sit at least seven subjects, while partial repeaters could take fewer.
In response to the court ruling, Kisii High Court Judge Lady Justice Teresa Achieng Odera issued conservatory orders halting the process until further hearings are conducted. Despite this, KNEC has confirmed the revised registration dates for the main KCSE examination.
KNEC Chief Executive Officer David Njegere emphasized the importance of timely registration, stating, “The registration of candidates for the 2025 KCSE examination will run from February 17, 2025, to March 28, 2025.”
KNEC has outlined clear guidelines for schools and candidates, warning institutions against submitting details of ineligible individuals.
“Heads of institutions are responsible for registering their candidates. They must ensure that all those presented for the exam meet the eligibility criteria, as any attempt to register ghost candidates will be treated as an examination malpractice. Such cases could result in severe consequences, including the de-registration of the school as a KNEC examination centre,” KNEC stated.
Additionally, all candidates must meet subject entry requirements as per KNEC regulations. Schools are required to upload passport-size photographs of candidates, which will remain unchanged after the registration deadline.
To ensure accuracy, KNEC has advised that candidate details—such as name (as it appears on the KCPE certificate), gender, year of birth, citizenship, and entry code for first, second, or third attempts—must be verified before submission.
Private candidates, including repeaters, are required to register at their respective Sub-County Directors of Education (SCDEs) offices. Those wishing to retake the exam may do so regardless of the year they previously sat, provided they have proof of prior registration.
Repeat candidates will take their theory and practical papers at designated county centres, while project-based assessments will be conducted at sub-county centres. They must also present valid identification documents such as a national ID, birth certificate, or passport to access examination centres.
KNEC has confirmed that the government will cater for examination fees for candidates in both public and private schools. However, repeat candidates, non-Kenyans, and private candidates registering through sub-county examination centres must pay Ksh7,200 via the e-Citizen platform during registration.
Additionally, the council has set requirements for new examination centres. Schools with fewer than five candidates will not be allowed to register independently and must collaborate with their respective SCDEs to enrol students at approved centres. Institutions with fewer than 30 candidates will be required to register under designated host centres.
KNEC further stated that it retains the authority to deregister or relocate examination centres if necessary. Inspections for new institutions seeking KNEC accreditation will be completed by February 28, after which feedback will be communicated.
Heads of institutions have also been directed to safeguard their KNEC registration credentials and confirm the distribution centres from which they will collect examination materials. Schools must align their examination centres with the most accessible distribution points to streamline logistics.
In compliance with the Data Protection Act (2019), KNEC has instructed schools to obtain consent from parents or guardians before collecting candidates’ data. The council has assured that the information will solely be used for examination purposes and will be handled in accordance with data protection regulations.
To finalize the process, candidates must sign nominal rolls to verify the accuracy of their registration details. School heads must submit all documents to SCDEs by March 31 for final verification by KNEC.
KNEC has warned that no late registrations will be accepted once the portal closes. “All stakeholders, including parents and candidates, must strictly adhere to the set deadlines,” the council emphasized.
