The Kenya National Examination Council (KNEC) has rolled out a new digital security system aimed at tightening the safety and integrity of national exams.
Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba announced that smart digital padlocks will now be used to secure examination storage containers, marking a major shift in how exam materials are safeguarded. The technology is being piloted in 250 centres across the country ahead of the 2025 national examinations.
According to the ministry, the high-tech padlocks are connected to the KNEC command centre, allowing officials to monitor in real time when each exam container is opened or sealed. This move, Ogamba noted, is part of ongoing efforts to curb cheating and ensure transparency in exam administration.
“These smart locks are linked directly to KNEC headquarters, providing instant updates on the exact time every container is accessed,” the CS explained.
In line with the new measures, everyone within examination centres will be required to surrender their mobile phones as soon as papers are distributed.
Ogamba also reaffirmed that the National Police Service will continue to provide security for the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) exams, while education officers and school administrators will oversee the Kenya Primary School Education Assessment (KPSEA) and Kenya Junior School Education Assessment (KJSEA) under a school-based arrangement.
