By the 254.ke Newsroom
The 2026 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examination started on Monday, October 19, with oral and practical papers, and the main written papers begin on Monday, November 2 and end on Friday, November 20. The Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) is handling a record 3.6 million candidates across the KCSE and two other national assessments this season, while a pay dispute with the Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (Kuppet) remained unresolved in the latest reports available on Monday.
When does KCSE 2026 start and end?
First-day sessions ran at 8am and 2pm, according to The Standard. The council’s own message on the opening day read “The 2026 KCSE examination begins!”, and KNEC chief executive Dr David Njengere said the size of this year’s candidature calls for “enhanced planning, coordination and security measures.”
- October 16: rehearsal day (held last Friday).
- October 19 to 23: French Oral, German Oral, Kenyan Sign Language practical signing skills and Music practical.
- October 19 to 26: Arabic Oral.
- October 21: Home Science Foods and Nutrition planning session (30 minutes; one hour for Braille candidates).
- October 26 to 28: Home Science Foods and Nutrition practical.
- October 28 to 30: written and practical papers in French, German, Arabic, Sign Language, Music, technical subjects and Home Science, per the council’s guidelines as reported by Pulse Kenya.
- November 2 to 20: main written papers and the Chemistry, Biology and Physics practicals.
What is the KCSE 2026 written timetable from November 2?
| Date | Morning (8am) | Afternoon (2pm) |
|---|---|---|
| Mon, Nov 2 | English Paper 1; Functional Skills | Chemistry Paper 1 |
| Tue, Nov 3 | Mathematics Paper 1 | English Paper 2 |
| Wed, Nov 4 | Chemistry Paper 2; General Science Paper 1 | English Paper 3 |
| Thu, Nov 5 | Kiswahili Paper 2 | Kiswahili Paper 1 |
| Fri, Nov 6 | Chemistry Practical | – |
| Mon, Nov 9 | Mathematics Paper 2 | Kiswahili Paper 3 |
| Tue, Nov 10 | Religious Education Paper 1 | Biology Paper 1 |
| Wed, Nov 11 | Religious Education Paper 2 | History and Government Paper 1 |
| Thu, Nov 12 | Biology Paper 2 | History and Government Paper 2 |
| Fri, Nov 13 | Biology Practical | – |
| Mon, Nov 16 | Geography Paper 1 | Physics Paper 1 / General Science Paper 2 |
| Tue, Nov 17 | Business Studies Paper 1 | Agriculture Paper 1 |
| Wed, Nov 18 | Geography Paper 2 | Physics Paper 2 |
| Thu, Nov 19 | Business Studies Paper 2 | Agriculture Paper 2 |
| Fri, Nov 20 | Physics Practical | – |
Earlier versions of the timetable circulated in March listed some papers on different days, so candidates and parents should work from the version KNEC issued in October and confirm with their school.
What is the Kuppet exam boycott threat?
Kuppet told members after a Governing Council meeting to stay away from examination administration, supervision and marking work until pay is reviewed. Secretary General Akelo Misori called current rates “slavery wages,” and National Chairman Omboko Milemba told teachers not to take up KNEC work until both sides agree on examiner pay.
The Star reported the existing rates, set in a 2024 review, as Sh630 to Sh680 for supervisors, Sh500 to Sh550 for centre managers, Sh430 to Sh510 for invigilators, a Sh150 daily examiner allowance and Sh35 to Sh75 per script marked. The union wants a minimum of Sh4,000 a day for supervisors and at least Sh100 per paper marked, plus better marking-centre accommodation.
Nairobi Wire reported that the National Treasury released Sh1.5 billion on July 7 to clear 2025 arrears and that Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba said on July 9 that KNEC had sent the money to examiners’ accounts. Neither report carried a KNEC or Salaries and Remuneration Commission response to the new demands, and neither said how many staff are complying with the directive. Reports available on Monday showed oral and practical papers going ahead; the main test for the dispute comes when written papers and marking begin.
What are the KCSE exam rules and penalties?
- Candidates must be searched outside the hall and seated at least 15 minutes before a paper starts. Arrivals more than 30 minutes late are admitted only in exceptional cases.
- Mobile phones and other electronic devices are banned. Possessing one leads to cancellation of results.
- Any irregularity cancels the whole subject, and the candidate is graded “Y.”
- Unauthorised access or leakage carries up to 10 years in prison, a fine of up to Sh2 million, or both. Impersonation carries up to two years, a fine of up to Sh2 million, or both, plus a three-year ban from KNEC exams.
These penalties fall under the KNEC Act, 2012, as set out in the council’s 2026 guidelines.
Frequently asked questions
When do KCSE 2026 written exams start?
Monday, November 2, with English Paper 1 in the morning and Chemistry Paper 1 in the afternoon.
When does KCSE 2026 end?
The last paper is the Physics Practical on Friday, November 20.
How many candidates are sitting the 2026 exams?
About 3.6 million candidates are registered across the KCSE, KPSEA and KJSEA assessments, the largest in KNEC’s history. The report did not give a separate KCSE figure.
When will KCSE 2026 results be released?
None of the sources reviewed for this article gave a release date.
Will the Kuppet boycott stop the exams?
Not so far. Papers began as scheduled on October 19, but the union’s directive on supervision and marking had not been withdrawn in the reports reviewed. Updates will follow here as KNEC or the union respond.
Related reading: University lecturers’ strike 2026: Sh12B offer rejected and Nairobi flood hotspots 2026, relevant to exam-day travel during the short rains. Official notices are published on the KNEC website.
