KNEC Opens Registration For KCSE 2025 Candidates
KNEC announced that the registration period began on February 17, 2025, and is set to lapse on March 28, 2025.
Marvin Chege 
The Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) has officially begun the registration process for the 2025 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examinations.
In a statement released on Tuesday, February 18, KNEC announced that the registration period began on February 17, 2025, and is set to lapse on March 28, 2025.
Addressing Sub-County Directors of Education and secondary school principals, KNEC instructed that all candidates must be registered via the online portal at www.knec-portal.ac.ke and cautioned against errors in the registration process.
"Registration of candidates will be strictly online. Institutions shall therefore log into the KNEC registration portal www.knec-portal.ac.ke to capture registration details of their candidates using their examination centre login credentials.
Photo of KNEC offices in Nairobi. /NAIROBI LEO
"Heads of institutions will be responsible for registration of their candidates. They have the responsibility of ensuring that all candidates presented for the examination are eligible. Registration of ghost candidates will constitute examination malpractice, which attracts sanctions, including de-registration of the school as a KNEC examination centre," the statement read.
KNEC emphasized that school heads (principals) are responsible for verifying the eligibility of all candidates registered for the examination.
Therefore, the agency instructed them to ensure that candidates meet the required subject entry criteria and that properly formatted passport-size photographs (300 x 300 pixels) are uploaded.
"Ensure all eligible candidates upload their correct passport-size photographs (300 x 300 pixels). There will be no replacement/changing of photographs once the registration period is over," the statement added.
Additionally, KNEC instructed institutions to submit accurate candidate details, including the correct spelling of names and gender.
Candidates were asked to make themselves familiar with regulations on subject entry requirements for grading as stipulated in the KNEC Rules and Regulations (2015) and the User Guide for Management of KCSE Examination (2nd Edition 2024).
They were also required to ensure that their registration details were captured correctly, including year of birth, citizenship, entry Codes (1st, 2nd, or 3rd attempt), Birth Certificate number, and subjects registered for as once the registration period elapsed, there would be no revisions.
Special needs candidates were urged to mark their categories accurately as well. This would be; 'B' for visually impaired candidates who require Braille and ‘LV’ for visually impaired candidates who require Large Print papers.
Meanwhile, individuals intending to retake the KCSE exam as private candidates must register at the Sub-County Directors of Education (SCDEs) offices. Repeat candidates will take both theory and practical exams at designated county headquarters, and they must provide proof of eligibility, such as a National ID card, for entry into the examination centres.
"Candidates will only be allowed access into examination centres upon proof of their eligibility, including use of National Identity card/birth certificate/passport.
"It is the responsibility of the candidates to follow up with their respective contact offices to ensure that they are duly registered, confirm the accuracy of their registration data; and get information on the venue(s) for rehearsals and administration of the examination," the statement further read.
