KNEC tightens KCSE 2026 exam controls with new rules on phones, watches and staff identification

KNEC tightens KCSE 2026 exam controls with new rules on phones, watches and staff identification

The council has directed examination centres to enforce strict phone restrictions, provide wall clocks and ensure authorised personnel carry original national identity cards.

The Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) has issued fresh instructions to examination centre managers and field officers as the 2026 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examinations enter their third week, tightening controls on the handling of examination materials and conduct within examination centres.

In a message dated November 1, 2026, KNEC Chief Executive Officer David Njengere outlined four key directives to be followed during the administration of large-candidature examination papers.

Njengere directed examination officers to ensure that examination containers are opened at exactly 7 am, emphasising the need to follow the prescribed procedures when handling examination materials.

The council also reinforced restrictions on mobile phones, directing that all phones within examination centres be switched off and stored in secure lockers outside examination rooms during examination sessions.

“All mobile phones in the examination centre must be switched off then kept in a lockable locker outside the examination room when the examination session is on,” Njengere stated.

Centre managers have also been instructed to maintain approved weekly lists of all authorised personnel operating within their examination centres.

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According to Njengere, all listed personnel must carry their original national identity cards to facilitate identification while on examination duty.

KNEC further reminded centre managers that candidates are not allowed to wear wristwatches of any kind, including ordinary watches and smartwatches, inside examination rooms.

“No wristwatches of any kind for candidates in the examination room. Centre managers to provide wall clocks in every room,” the message stated.

The directive means candidates will have to rely on wall clocks provided by centre managers to keep track of time during their examination papers.

The latest instructions come as the 2026 KCSE examinations enter Week 3, marking the start of the administration of papers with large candidate numbers.

Njengere concluded his message by wishing candidates success as they continue with the national examinations, saying, “Best wishes to all our candidates!”

The notice also comes amid government warnings to students, parents and teachers against purchasing fake examination papers from fraudsters seeking to exploit the ongoing national examinations.