3.6 million learners will sit 2026 national examinations across the country, Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba has announced.

Speaking in Makindu, Makueni County on Monday, Ogamba said they included 1,380,463 learners registered for KPSEA - 1, 206, 028 for KJSEA and 1,048,355 others for KCSE.

"Both KPSE and KJSEA commenced today at 8.30am," Ogamba said.

Ogamba said today (Monday) marks an important milestone in the country's national education calender as learners commence the 2026 Kenya Primary School Education Assesment (KPSEA) and the Kenya Junior School Education Assesment (KJSEA).

"This also marks the beginning of a critical phase in the administration of this year's national assesments and examinations. I wish to assure learners, parents, teachers and entire country that the government has put in place comprehensive measures to ensure the assesments and examinations are conducted smoothly, securely, fairly and with the highest standards of integrity," he said.

The CS, earlier this morning at 6.00am, witnessed the opening of examinations materials conrainer and distribution of assesment materials to respective centres.

He said similar exercises were taking place across the country to ensure that learners comenced their assesments on schedule.

"As indicated during the official launch at the 2026 National Examinations and Assesment Season on October 5, 2026, a total of 3,634,846 learners and candidates have been registered for this year's national assesments and examinations," Ogamba said.

KCSE exams will comence on October 19 with oral practicaks and low candidates literature papers, while main written papers will run from November 2 to November 20.

The CS said the assessments are particularly significant in application of Competency Based Education.

KPSEA asseses learners progress at the end of Grade 6, while KJSE provides important measure of the competency acquired by Grade 9 learners as they prepare for transition to senior school.

Ogamba said both assesments are intended to support learning.

Ogamba said comprehensive measures had been put in place to ensure smooth administration, including enhanced security, timely distribution of materials and contingency plans for adverse weather and insecurity.

"A total of 3,634,846 learners and candidates have registered for the 2026 national assessments and examinations. Of these, 1,380,463 are registered for KPSEA, 1,206,028 for KJSEA and 1,048,355 for the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE)," Ogamba said.

The CS spoke shortly after he supervised the exams' distribution at KNEC container located at Makindu Deputy County Commissioner's office in Makueni County at 6.00am on Monday.

KPSEA and KJSEA started at 8.30am on Monday.

KPSEA will run for three days until Wednesday, October 28, while KJSEA will continue until Friday, October 30.

Ogamba said the assessments are critical to Competency-Based Education, with KPSEA evaluating learners at the end of Grade 6 and KJSEA measuring competencies of Grade 9 learners as they transition to senior school.

He said the government has expanded the network of examination storage containers to improve accessibility and facilitate timely distribution, particularly in remote areas.

Ogamba noted that security had been strengthened through the rollout of smart electronic padlocks, colour-coding of materials and use of personalised question papers to anonymise candidates.

"The measures will enhance traceability, deter impersonation and protect credibility of results," he said.

He said armed police officers will not routinely be stationed at assessment centres unless security conditions require deployment.

Ogamba said the decision is intended to create a calm environment for young learners and prevent excessive security presence from causing anxiety.

"For KCSE, appropriate police deployment will continue at examination centres in accordance with established security arrangements," Ogamba said.

He said security agencies will continue to protect storage facilities and oversee transportation.

The CS warned against examination malpractice, saying action will be taken against centre managers, supervisors, invigilators and other officials found engaging in irregularities.

He cautioned parents, candidates and the public against fraudsters claiming to have access to examination papers.

Ogamba said such claims are fraudulent and urged anyone with information about individuals demanding money for purported advance papers to report to authorities.

The ministry has also put in place measures to respond to challenges associated with the October-December rains, including flooding, insecurity and difficult terrain.

He called on centre managers and teachers to provide safe and conducive environments, including support for learners with disabilities.

The KCSE examinations began on October 19 with oral, practical and low-candidature papers, while the main written papers will run from November 2 to November 20, 2026.