The 2025 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) theory examinations began on Monday, November 3, with 996,078 candidates participating nationwide.
Basic Education Principal Secretary Julius Bitok oversaw the distribution of English and Chemistry papers in Westlands, in Nairobi.
According to the timetable, Mathematics and English Literature will follow on November 4, 2025 while the second Chemistry paper and English essay are scheduled for November 5. Each paper has been spaced depending on its duration, with sessions set for morning and afternoon across the country.
On Thursday, November 6, 2025, students will take Kiswahili (Lugha) in the morning and Kiswahili (Fasihi) in the afternoon, marking the end of the first week of theory papers.
Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba has assured that all examination materials have been dispatched and that security measures have been put in place to ensure smooth and credible tests are conducted nationwide, including smart digital locking systems.
The government has also put in place contingency plans to prevent disruptions caused by the ongoing heavy rains.
Meanwhile, 14 candidates are among the 26 people who lost their lives in a deadly landslide in Elgeyo Marakwet, with 25 others still reported missing.
The 2025 KCSE exam began on October 21, 2025, with oral and practical papers, and is scheduled to end on November 21, 2025, after the written examinations.
