Education Ministry Rules Out Postponing KCSE Due to El Niño

Education Ministry Rules Out Postponing KCSE Due to El Niño

The Ministry of Education has ruled out postponing the 2026 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examinations because of the expected El Niño rains, assuring candidates that the national tests will proceed as scheduled.

The ministry said preparations are underway to ensure candidates reach their examination centres even if heavy rains cause flooding, road closures and other disruptions during the examination period.

An Education Ministry official gave the assurance during the 13th National Climate Outlook Forum held in Nairobi on Wednesday, August 26, as government agencies reviewed the October-December 2026 rainfall forecast.

The official stressed that KCSE examinations must be conducted simultaneously across the country to protect their integrity and ensure all candidates sit the same papers under similar conditions.

“The national examinations are zero-sum. They cannot be postponed and cannot be delayed. Everybody must do the paper at the same time across the country.”

The ministry acknowledged that the expected heavy rains could create logistical challenges, particularly in areas vulnerable to flooding.

However, officials said they have begun mapping areas that could become inaccessible and identifying alternative arrangements for examination centres.

The measures are intended to prevent candidates from missing examinations because of impassable roads or flooded areas.

“We map out the country in advance, and then we decide which centre should be moved to which location to mitigate against areas that we are very sure we will not be able to reach in case of any emergencies.”

The government is also preparing alternative ways of transporting examination materials to areas that may become difficult to access by road.

According to the ministry, aircraft will be used where necessary, while drones are expected to support the delivery of examination materials during this year’s examinations.

“We also do airlifting. If we cannot go by road, we go by air. This year we are going to deploy drones. Those are some of the innovations we are putting in place.”

The ministry is also concerned about the possible impact of heavy rains on food supplies in boarding schools.

Officials have advised schools to prepare early by stocking sufficient food supplies to ensure candidates remain in school and continue their examinations without interruption.

The ministry said disruption of food deliveries could create additional pressure on schools, particularly boarding institutions where learners depend on regular supplies throughout the examination period.

“On food supplies, boarding schools feed; they have feeding programmes. When food supply is affected, the school becomes distressed, especially during exams, so we advise them to stock.”

The government is expected to provide further guidance to schools on the types of food and supplies that should be stocked ahead of the rainy season.

The KCSE preparations come against the backdrop of growing concerns over the developing El Niño weather pattern.

The latest climate outlook has raised the possibility of above-average rainfall across several parts of Kenya between late September and December 2026.

Heavy rainfall could increase the risk of flooding, landslides and road disruptions, particularly in areas that are already vulnerable to extreme weather.

Despite these concerns, the Education Ministry maintains that the national examinations will proceed as planned.

The ministry’s contingency measures are therefore focused on ensuring examination materials, candidates and officials can access designated centres regardless of weather-related challenges.

The government is also expected to work with security agencies, county authorities and other relevant institutions to monitor conditions and respond to emergencies during the examination period.

For thousands of KCSE candidates, the message from the ministry is clear: the examinations will not be postponed because of El Niño, and preparations are being made to ensure every candidate sits the papers on time.

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Education Ministry Rules Out Postponing KCSE Due to El Niño