KNEC requires wall clocks in every examination room during the 2026 KCSE examinations.
KNEC has barred all candidate wristwatches during the 2026 KCSE examinations and directed centre managers to provide wall clocks in every examination room.
The Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) has expanded the KCSE wristwatch ban to cover all types, including analogue watches. Candidates must now use examination-centre wall clocks to track their time during papers.
The directive applies to candidates sitting the 2026 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education examinations. Centre managers must provide a wall clock in every examination room.
KNEC prohibited smartwatches and other advanced timepieces in 2023. However, it previously allowed candidates to wear ordinary analogue watches to manage their examination time.
The wider restriction comes as the examinations enter their third week, with candidates beginning papers attracting larger numbers.
KCSE wristwatch ban and other examination rules
Alongside watches, KNEC prohibits phones, tablets, laptops, Bluetooth earphones, recording gadgets and programmable calculators unless it specifically authorises their use. These restrictions form part of its efforts to curb examination malpractice.
However, candidates may use approved non-programmable scientific calculators in specified subjects when the examination paper permits them. The devices must not store text or programmes.
Computer use is also limited to approved e-assessments. For those examinations, centres must provide authorised equipment and follow KNEC’s digital examination requirements.
Meanwhile, KNEC has reminded centre managers to open examination containers at 7am as preparations for the week’s papers continue.
Managers must also maintain an approved weekly list of authorised personnel. Those personnel must carry their original national identity cards for identification.
