The Ministry of Education has announced an ambitious plan to use drones for delivering national examination materials across Kenya, a move aimed at reducing logistical costs and ensuring timely access to schools in flood-prone or hard-to-reach regions.
Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba revealed the initiative while addressing the National Assembly Committee on Education, saying the ministry is exploring innovative solutions to overcome persistent transport challenges caused by heavy rains.
“We have floods in some parts of the country where we are administering exams,” Ogamba said.
“This morning, we received reports of areas where vehicles were not able to pass through some bridges after they flooded. As a ministry, we have put measures in place because it is something that happens every year.”
The CS said drones are among the advanced technologies the ministry and the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) are evaluating to enhance exam logistics and minimize dependence on helicopters, which have been costly and limited by weather conditions.
Over 3.4 Million Candidates Sitting for National Exams
Currently, more than 3.4 million candidates are sitting for various national examinations, including the Kenya Primary School Education Assessment (KPSEA), Kenya Junior School Education Assessment (KJSEA), Kenya Intermediate Level Education Assessment (KILEA), Kenya Pre-Vocational Level Education Assessment (KPLEA), and the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE).
The tests, which began on October 21, will run until November 21 across 32,834 KPSEA and 10,765 KCSE examination centers nationwide, according to ministry data.
Committee Chair Julius Melly raised concerns that heavy rains in regions such as Tana River and Murang’a counties could disrupt transportation and delay exam deliveries.
Ogamba, however, assured lawmakers that no candidate will miss their exams, emphasizing that the ministry has established a real-time monitoring system to coordinate emergency responses.
“We have a command center at KNEC headquarters receiving live updates from affected areas,” he said. “We also have other modes of transport, including helicopters on standby, to make sure every candidate does an exam.”
The drone project, if implemented, could revolutionize Kenya’s exam distribution system and position the country as a leader in educational innovation in Africa.
Exam Results and Funding Challenges
CS Ogamba said the ministry plans to release KPSEA and KILEA results by December 2025 and KCSE results by January 2026.
He also addressed the issue of budget constraints, revealing that the ministry faces a KSh 3.7 billion funding gap for this year’s examination process.
“Every year we make a presentation on the budget,” Ogamba explained. “We are working with Treasury to ensure that once budget allocations are made, essential items such as examinations are not slashed.”
The ministry had requested KSh 12.7 billion, but Treasury allocated only KSh 5.9 billion before a supplementary KSh 3.1 billion was later added, still leaving a deficit.
Schools Charging Illegal Exam Fees
Committee member Mary Emase raised concerns that some schools were demanding unauthorized examination fees from parents. Ogamba condemned the practice, reaffirming that the government fully funds all national exams.
“We take disciplinary action on such schools,” he said. “By law, it is the responsibility of the government to fund examinations.”
Delayed Funding for New Schools
MP Rebecca Tonkei further pointed out delays in releasing capitation funds to newly established schools, citing one in Narok County that had not received any funds.
Ogamba acknowledged that 29 new schools were still awaiting funding as the ministry completes verification and data submission processes.
Committee members expressed concern over the administrative delays and budget shortfalls, directing Ogamba to appear again to provide a detailed update.
The ministry now faces growing pressure to streamline its operations, balance budgets, and deliver on its promise to modernize Kenya’s education sector, with drone technology potentially transforming the way national exams are managed in the future.
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