The government has unveiled sweeping reforms in the education sector with a proposal to abolish the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) and introduce a new assessment body—the Kenya National Education Assessments Council (KNEAC)—as part of a radical shift toward modernizing national examinations, including the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in exam marking.
The proposed changes are contained in the Kenya National Education Assessments Council Act, 2025, which seeks to align the examination framework with the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) as it transitions into senior secondary education.
According to the Act, KNEC will be phased out within two months of the law’s enactment, and the newly established KNEAC will take over its functions.
“The former Council shall continue in office for a period of not more than two months from the effective date… and shall for all intents and purposes be deemed the Council appointed under this Act,” reads part of the proposed legislation.
Embracing Technology: AI and E-Assessment
Under the new law, KNEAC will administer, mark, and certify assessments in both basic education and post-school teacher training. The Council will adopt a variety of modern assessment and marking methods, including:
- Traditional pen-and-paper marking
- Electronic capture of marks
- Automated marking (Automark)
- Optical Mark Recognition (OMR)
- AI-based marking
- Other tech-enabled methods as deemed fit
The Council will also be empowered to offer online assessments through an e-assessment platform, which will be governed by new guidelines and conducted at registered e-assessment centres.
Institutions wishing to host these e-assessments will be required to meet several technical requirements, including stable internet, reliable power supply, necessary hardware and software, and qualified ICT personnel.
“The Council shall develop rules and guidelines for the conduct, administration, processing, and marking of the e-assessment and the offences under e-assessment,” the Act states.
The reforms also make provisions for differentiated assessments for learners with special needs, a move that is expected to promote inclusivity.
KNEAC Structure and Leadership
The Kenya National Education Assessments Council will be led by a Chairperson appointed by the President for a four-year term and a Chief Executive Officer (CEO) appointed through a competitive process for a five-year term.
Other key members of the Council will include:
- Principal Secretaries from the National Treasury and Education
- CEO of the Commission for University Education
- Director of the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD)
- Secretary of the Teachers Service Commission (TSC)
The Education Cabinet Secretary will also appoint:
- A representative for persons with disabilities
- A representative for post-school teacher training institutions
- A private sector representative involved in education management
A New Era for Education
The introduction of KNEAC and the shift to AI-assisted assessments mark a significant milestone in Kenya’s education journey. If implemented, this will be one of the boldest moves toward digital transformation and equity in student evaluation.
The transition is expected to improve the accuracy, efficiency, and transparency of national examinations, even as the government continues to adapt to the demands of a 21st-century education system.