The Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) has issued a circular on verification and collection of the 2026 KPSEA, KJSEA and KCSE registration details. The notice explains how the KNEC nominal rolls will be distributed, what schools must verify, the documents KNEC will collect, and the timelines every Sub-County Director of Education (SCDE) and Head of Institution (HoI) must follow.
Key Takeaways
- Green nominal rolls will be delivered to Sub-County Education offices (27–30 April 2026) for final verification.
- Schools must report missing rolls or centres not on the collection list to their SCDE immediately.
- Centres that registered fewer than 10 candidates must liaise with SCDEs to identify host centres or risk deregistration.
- KNEC will collect green nominal rolls and other registration documents from SCDE offices between 4 and 8 May 2026. Schools keep the white nominal rolls as reference.
KNEC nominal rolls: what to expect
KNEC will deliver the registration (green) nominal rolls to Sub-County Education offices for final verification. SCDEs must ensure all Heads of Institutions collect the documents and confirm that their centre appears on the Sub-County Collection Point or Distribution Centre printout. If a school does not receive a green nominal roll or is missing from the printout, it must be reported to the SCDE to confirm registration status.
What schools and SCDEs must do
Heads of Institutions should check the green nominal roll carefully for accuracy: names, candidate numbers, and special needs information. SCDEs must confirm that every centre is correctly aligned to the nearest collection point or distribution centre. Centres that registered fewer than 10 candidates have been directed to liaise with SCDEs to identify a host centre where learners will be transferred and registered by KNEC. Failure to follow this process may lead to deregistration as an assessment or examination centre.
Documents KNEC will collect
When KNEC collects the green nominal rolls, the following supporting documents must also be available and handed over:
- List and template for schools that registered less than 10 candidates, duly verified by SCDEs.
- Verified distribution centre (collection points) printout, signed by the SCDE.
- Medical assessment and HoI reports for candidates with special needs.
- Forms for candidates with special needs and the accompanying HoI’s Declaration Form.
- Photograph albums for KCSE examination candidates.
- Fees payment invoices and bank deposit slips (where applicable).
- Sub-county private candidates manual forms for the KCSE examination.
SCDEs are required to ensure all HoIs submit the registration documents — especially the green nominal rolls — before the scheduled collection. Officers collecting the materials will be accountable for all documents received.
Timeline and consequences
Key dates to note:
- 27–30 April 2026: Delivery of green KNEC nominal rolls to Sub-County Education offices.
- 4–8 May 2026: KNEC collects green nominal rolls and other registration documents from SCDE offices.
Centres that do not comply with the instructions on transfers or that fail to verify and submit required documents risk administrative actions, including possible deregistration. Prompt reporting of missing rolls or registration discrepancies to the SCDE helps avoid last-minute problems for candidates.
Resources and preparation
To support preparation and candidate readiness, schools can use available practice and revision resources for the different examination levels. For example, primary-level centres preparing candidates for KPSEA/KCPE may find free practice exams useful: free KCPE/KPSEA practice exams. Secondary schools can use targeted revision materials for KCSE preparation: free KCSE/KSCE exams and revision papers. For curriculum-aligned practice and assessment across new learning levels, see the collection of CBC exam resources: free CBC exams and resources.
Final notes
Careful verification of the KNEC nominal rolls and timely submission of all supporting documents will ensure smooth administration of the 2026 KPSEA, KJSEA and KCSE examinations. SCDEs must coordinate distribution points and verify centres, while Heads of Institutions must check candidate details and prepare all required paperwork before collection dates. The Kenya National Examinations Council thanks all officers and schools for their cooperation in administering national assessments.
