Omtatah's demands to Knec over sign language grading

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Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah has written to the Kenya National Examinations Council (Knec), demanding an immediate recall and recomputation of the 2025 KCSE results.

In a letter dated January 12, 2026, Omtatah cited what he terms as “inconsistent and discriminatory” grading of the Kenya Sign Language (KSL) subject.

He claimed that the Council applied two different grading criteria for KSL without notice or public participation.

According to him, the move unfairly disadvantaged a section of candidates and violated long-standing examination practice.

Omtatah noted that under the 8-4-4 curriculum, KSL is listed as a technical subject under Category 5.

However, he said the treatment of the subject during the computation of final grades differed sharply between candidates living with hearing impairment and those who are not.

“For hearing-impaired candidates, KSL was treated as a compulsory language subject alongside English and Kiswahili,” he said.

“For non-hearing-impaired candidates, KSL scores were reportedly excluded from the final aggregate computation altogether, despite these candidates having registered for and sat the examination as a technical subject.”

The senator argued that the adjustment was made after students had already selected the subject in Form Two, registered for the examination and completed their studies with the understanding that KSL would be graded as per established practice.

He added that schools had also invested resources and allocated instructional time based on that expectation.

“This post-examination policy shift constitutes an unfair administrative action,” Omtatah wrote.

“It violates the legitimate expectations of the students who selected KSL in good faith… and undermines principles of equity, fairness and inclusive education.”

Omtatah is demanding four key actions from Knec.

First, he wants the Council to provide data within seven days on the total number of candidates affected by what he describes as inconsistent grading of KSL.

He also wants Knec to recall and recompute the 2025 KCSE results for all affected candidates, incorporating KSL scores appropriately for hearing candidates.

“Therefore, I urgently request that an immediate and clear policy directive be issued confirming that for current Form Three and Form Four students, KSL will be graded according to its established categorical placement without discrimination,” he added.

He has further asked Knec to temporarily suspend the registration process for the 2026 KCSE examination until the matter is resolved and a proper policy is communicated to all stakeholders.

Omtatah warned that he would move to court should Knec fail to act within the seven-day window.

“Please be advised that the failure to receive a substantive and satisfactory response from your office within the next seven days will leave me with no alternative but to seek appropriate legal recourse, including petitioning the High Court for necessary orders, to protect the rights and interests of the affected students,” the senator stated.