# Kenya competency-based education reforms

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/kenya-competency-based-education-reforms
> Updated: 2026-10-12T15:23:41.000Z. Sources: 5. Developments: 2.

Kenya is undergoing a transition toward Competency-Based Education (CBE) and assessment standards. Initially, the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) emphasized the need for digital investment and foundational literacy and numeracy in Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASAL) to prevent regional exclusion from job markets.

As the transition progresses, formal reforms are being implemented across various educational levels. KASNEB announced that starting in December 2026, Continuous Assessment Tests (CATs) will constitute 15 per cent of final scores for several certificate and diploma courses. 

To support these changes, KNEC has launched training programs for senior secondary and vocational teachers. These initiatives focus on teaching educators how to write assessment items that effectively measure practical skills and knowledge under the new competency-based system.

## Timeline

### 2026-10-12: Kenya implements examination reforms for competency-based education

Kenya is reforming its examination systems, with KASNEB introducing continuous assessment marks for certain courses and KNEC training teachers for competency-based assessments by 2026.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/kenya-implements-examination-reforms-for-competency-based-education

### 2026-09-15: KNEC calls for digital investment in ASAL schools

KNEC is calling for better digital and foundational learning investment in Kenya's ASAL schools while launching new training for teachers to support competency-based assessments.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/knec-calls-for-digital-investment-in-asal-schools

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Cite as: Kenya competency-based education reforms. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/kenya-competency-based-education-reforms