Kenya embraces smart locks to combat exam cheating

After years of exam paper theft and leaks, the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) has introduced smart digital locks that transmit real-time alerts to curb cheating and strengthen exam integrity.

By Nhlanhla Muthe

Kenya has unveiled a smart digital padlock system designed to track exam container access in real time and prevent paper leaks across the country.

Kenya’s exam body is going high-tech to fight one of its oldest challenges, exam paper leaks.

The Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) has introduced smart digital padlocks to secure national exam materials as part of its key weapon in its war against cheating that has plagued the system for years through stolen papers and collusion.

Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba announced that 250 containers used to store examination papers will be fitted with smart locks in a pilot phase ahead of full rollout. “These locks are linked to the KNEC command centre, allowing real-time tracking of the exact time each container is opened and locked. This ensures accountability and transparency from the moment papers leave storage to when candidates sit for their exams,” said Ogamba

According to the Citizen, the locks record access data, transmitting alerts to a central system at KNEC headquarters whenever a container is opened, a welcome innovation from the traditional padlock system that relied entirely on manual oversight. Under the current setup, each of KNEC’s 642 exam storage containers is secured by two padlocks, with keys held separately by the sub-county director of education and the deputy county commissioner. The containers are also guarded around the clock by police officers to prevent tampering.

KNEC CEO David Njengere said the smart locks will add a digital tripwire to an already robust system and create a verifiable access trail to help eliminate early exposure of exam materials, historically one of the biggest sources of malpractice. “The technology allows us to see, in real time, who accessed a container, when, and under what authorization. It takes away human discretion and reduces the chance for collusion,” Njengere explained.

Beyond the locks, Ogamba announced new safeguards, including personalised exam papers featuring each candidate’s name and unique code to deter impersonation. “Candidates will write answers directly in the question booklets. After completion, the identification section will be detached to ensure fairness and eliminate bias,” he said.

With the 2025 KCSE, KPSEA, and KJSEA exams underway, KNEC says the goal is to restore integrity to Kenya’s testing system, one digital lock at a time.