The Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) has issued a stern warning to candidates, parents, and the public over social media scams promising to alter scores in the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) and Kenya Junior Secondary Education Assessment (KJSEA).

In a post on its official X account dated December 3, 2025, KNEC stated: “Beware of fraudsters purporting to be able to alter candidates’ scores during marking of the KCSE examination or KJSEA.”

The council emphasised the impossibility of such tampering, explaining: “Please note that all candidates’ answer scripts are anonymised to protect their identity and ensure integrity during marking.”

Also watch: KNEC mourns examiner who died during KJSEA marking exercise

KNEC urged vigilance with a clear message: “Do not fall prey to fraudulent activities on social media.”

Scams target anxious students, parents

The alert follows reports of fraudsters creating fake WhatsApp groups and channels, impersonating examiners, and soliciting personal details and payments in exchange for “grade editing slots.” These schemes prey on anxious students and parents awaiting results, echoing previous years’ fraudulent operations promising mark upgrades for fees.

This year’s examinations involved a record 3,424,836 candidates nationwide. KNEC Chief Executive Officer David Njengere confirmed that 996,078 students sat the KCSE exams, while over 2.4 million learners participated in primary and junior school assessments.

Among these, 1,130,669 Grade 9 learners sat the inaugural KJSEA under the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC), and 1,298,089 Grade 6 pupils completed the Kenya Primary School Education Assessment (KPSEA).

KCSE and KJSEA marking underway

The KCSE exams concluded smoothly on November 21, 2025, with the final Physics Practical paper. Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba marked the occasion by opening a KNEC container in Nyamira Sub-County and monitoring the practical at Kebabe Girls High School, praising the “seamless and credible process.”

Marking for KCSE, involving over 32,000 examiners in 40 centres, is now underway, with results expected in January 2026.

Meanwhile, Basic Education Principal Secretary Julius Bitok had announced that KJSEA results will be released by December 11, 2025, allowing timely Grade 10 selection before Christmas.

Also watch: KJSEA results to be released on December 11, PS Bitok announces

Learners are set to report to senior school on January 12, 2026. The KJSEA, held from October 27 to November 3, represents a milestone in CBC implementation, guiding transitions into STEM, Social Sciences, or Arts and Sports pathways.

Parents and candidates are advised to ignore unsolicited offers and report suspicions to official KNEC channels.