The 2026 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examinations began smoothly in Kwale County with education officials reporting timely delivery of examination materials without any disruptions.

Kwale County Director of Education (CDE) Ahmed Abdi said all examination materials had arrived at the respective centres on time, with school principals in Matuga Sub-County present to receive them.

“The examinations kicked off without any issues this morning, and the papers were delivered to the respective schools on time,” said Abdi.

He said the county had registered 12,171 candidates across 125 examination centres, comprising 111 public school centres, 13 private school centres and one centre for adult candidates.

Abdi noted that the number of candidates had declined compared to previous years, describing this year’s cohort as the second-last group to sit the national examination under the 8-4-4 education system.

He said four sub-counties in Kwale, namely Kinango, Matuga, Lunga Lunga and Msambweni, had registered private candidates, with a combined total of 123 candidates.

The candidates are distributed as follows: 33 in Kinango, 28 in Matuga, 21 in Lunga Lunga and 41 in Msambweni.

The CDE said officials had initially been concerned that the forecast El Niño rains between October and December could disrupt the transportation of examination materials. However, favourable weather conditions had enabled smooth delivery to examination centres.

Abdi urged former candidates wishing to improve their grades to register for the 2027 KCSE examinations, saying it would be the final opportunity to sit the examination under the 8-4-4 curriculum.

“Those wishing to resit the KCSE should take advantage of next year’s examination, as 2027 will mark the end of the 8-4-4 system,” he said.

He also appealed to former candidates who had not collected their KCSE certificates from their former schools to do so, noting that the documents were important in pursuing further education and employment opportunities.

Abdi expressed confidence that the examinations would be conducted without malpractice, citing the county’s good record in previous years.

He further said education officials were monitoring the situation of a candidate from Perani Secondary School in Lunga Lunga Sub-County, who recently delivered at Mariakani Sub-County Hospital in Kilifi County to ensure she receives the necessary support to sit her examinations.

“We hope that all candidates will perform well in their examinations,” he said.

By Mtumwa Makande and Achieng Eurelia