The Kenya National Examinations Council has cautioned centre managers against leaking the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) practical exam papers.
In a notice on Monday, the council indicated that all invigilators should refrain from sharing advanced confidential instructions with unauthorised individuals including the candidates until exam time.
"We wish to strongly caution all KCSE Centre Managers against sharing of advanced confidential instructions for the preparation of science practical examination papers with unauthorized persons," read the notice in part.
"Please adhere to the KNEC rules and regulations strictly. Any non-compliance will attract the sanctions spelled out in the KNEC Act."
According to the Act, centre managers found guilty face imprisonment for a term not exceeding twelve months or a fine not exceeding Ksh500,000 or both.
The punishment affects individuals who gain access to examination materials and knowingly reveal the contents, whether orally or in writing, to any unauthorized party, whether a candidate or not as well as individuals who willfully and maliciously damage examination materials.
Others affected by the jail term are individuals who not being registered to take a particular council examination, with intent to impersonate, present, or attempt to present themselves to take the part of an enrolled candidate, or those who possess or present a forged certificate or diploma.
The national examinations kicked off countrywide today with the candidates sitting for physics practicals. 903,260 candidates had registered to sit the paper.
The science practical papers are expected to run until Friday.
Data from the Ministry of Education indicate that just under a million students will sit for KCSE while 1.4 million will sit for the Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE).
A total of 3.5 million are expected to sit for the two examinations alongside the newly introduced Kenya Primary School Education Assessment (KPSEA).
KCSE will run until November 24.
