Petition filed challenging mid-year repeat KCSE exam

Nakuru-based doctor Magare Gikenyi has filed a petition challenging the new guidelines issued by the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) regulating the annual administration of the mid-year Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examinations, citing a lack of public participation.

In the petition, Dr. Gikenyi argues that there is no evidence to suggest that stakeholders or the public were involved in the decision-making process.

He also contends that the guidelines have created two categories of candidates: one group with a limited preparation period (July) and another with a longer revision period (November).

According to Dr. Gikenyi, this distinction lacks rational justification and violates Article 27, read together with Articles 24, 10, 73, and 75 of the Constitution.

Further, he asserted that the KCSE exams have historically been conducted in November, creating a legitimate expectation among learners that if they failed, they could retake the exams.

"Changing the exam dates abruptly without consulting affected learners, parents, and stakeholders goes against the legitimate expectations of the candidates and their right to fair administrative action," the petition reads in part.

The petition comes just three days after KNEC announced the opening of registration for potential candidates, from January 26 to February 21, 2025, for the mid-year exams.

The registration exercise is targeting repeating candidates who wish to improve their previous grades.

They will be categorized either as full repeaters, who will sit for seven or more subjects, or partial repeaters, who will register for fewer than seven subjects.

It is also open to individuals who had previously registered for KCSE but were unable to sit for the exams, as well as adult learners who are not enrolled in any regular school but can provide proof of having completed primary education.

Learners attending regular school and sitting KCSE for the first time are not eligible for registration as well as learners who do not meet the requisite qualifications under the KNEC regulations for KCSE examination candidates.

Candidates are required to register at their respective county headquarters, where apart from submitting original copies of their identification documents, KCPE certificate as well as KCSE certificate or result slip for repeat candidates, they will pay a sum of Ksh.7,200 through the eCitizen platform.

According to KNEC, the July series KCSE examinations will be issued on diverse dates between January 2025 and 1st August 2025.