The Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) has issued an examination update for candidates sitting the 2026 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examinations, with Mathematics and Kiswahili papers scheduled for Monday, November 9.
In a message shared on its official X account, the council wished candidates well as they entered another week of the national examinations.
“Best wishes to all the candidates,” KNEC stated.
According to the published examination timetable, candidates will sit Mathematics Paper 2 during the morning session, followed by Kiswahili Paper 3, also known as Fasihi, in the afternoon.
The two examinations form part of the remaining written papers in the 2026 KCSE assessment, which is scheduled to continue until Friday, November 20.
KNEC has urged candidates to follow the official timetable and observe instructions issued by their respective examination centre officials.
Mathematics Paper 2 Scheduled for 8am
Mathematics will be the first examination on Monday’s schedule, with candidates registered for Alternative A and Alternative B expected to report for their respective papers.
The morning session will feature:
- Mathematics Alternative A Paper 2: 121/2
- Mathematics Alternative B Paper 2: 122/2
- Examination time: 8.00am to 10.30am
Candidates are expected to follow the examination instructions and complete their papers within the allocated two-and-a-half-hour period.
Mathematics is among the compulsory subjects in the KCSE curriculum, making the paper an important part of the assessment for candidates pursuing different academic and career pathways.
Candidates should ensure they are familiar with the requirements of their respective examination papers and avoid relying on unofficial timetable information.
Kiswahili Fasihi Paper 3 Set for Afternoon
After the morning Mathematics examination, candidates will return for the afternoon Kiswahili examination.
According to the KNEC timetable, Kiswahili Paper 3 (102/3), known as Fasihi, will take place from 2.00pm to 4.30pm.
The paper assesses candidates’ understanding of Kiswahili literature and forms part of the subject’s overall examination.
The afternoon schedule is as follows:
- Subject: Kiswahili
- Paper: Paper 3 – Fasihi
- Paper code: 102/3
- Examination time: 2.00pm to 4.30pm
The examination follows the earlier Kiswahili papers covering language and composition.
Candidates are advised to confirm their examination arrangements with their schools and ensure they report to their centres according to the instructions provided.
2026 KCSE Written Examinations to End on November 20
The 2026 KCSE examinations are continuing across the country, with written papers scheduled to conclude on Friday, November 20.
KNEC’s timetable provides for morning examinations beginning at 8.00am and afternoon sessions starting at 2.00pm, subject to the specific duration and arrangements for individual papers.
The council has continued issuing examination updates to keep candidates, teachers and schools informed about the ongoing national assessment.
In an earlier update, candidates were scheduled to sit Chemistry Paper 2 and General Science Paper 1 during the morning session on Wednesday, November 4, followed by English Paper 3 in the afternoon.
The examination period requires candidates to remain attentive to their individual subject combinations because not every learner sits all the papers appearing on the national timetable.
Instructions KCSE Candidates Should Observe
As the examinations continue, candidates are expected to observe the rules governing the national assessment.
Schools and examination centre officials remain responsible for guiding learners on reporting times, examination materials and the procedures to follow before and during each paper.
Candidates should:
- Follow the official KNEC examination timetable.
- Report to their examination centres in good time.
- Confirm their paper codes and examination sessions.
- Follow instructions issued by invigilators and supervisors.
- Avoid carrying prohibited materials into examination rooms.
- Maintain examination integrity and avoid any form of malpractice.
Parents and teachers have also been encouraged to support candidates throughout the examination period while allowing them to concentrate on their remaining papers.
Where to Find the Official KCSE 2026 Timetable
Candidates, parents and teachers should rely on official KNEC communication and the timetable provided through their schools when checking examination dates and paper requirements.
The council’s official website is available at https://www.knec.ac.ke/.
KNEC also communicates examination updates through its official social media platforms.
As the 2026 KCSE examinations move into another week, candidates are encouraged to remain focused, observe the examination regulations and prepare for their remaining papers.
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