Dr. Magare Gikenyi, a surgeon and rights activist based in Nakuru, has filed a lawsuit against the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) over the upcoming July 2025 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) exams, claiming a violation of students’ rights.
In his petition, Dr. Gikenyi argues that the July exam dates were introduced without proper public consultation, alleging that no stakeholders were involved in the decision-making process.
He highlights concerns that the new guidelines have created two categories of candidates: one group with a shorter preparation period (July), and another with a longer revision time (November).
According to Gikenyi, this differentiation is unjustified and infringes on constitutional rights outlined in Articles 27, 24, 10, 73, and 75.

Dr. Gikenyi also notes that national exams have traditionally been held in November, leading students to reasonably expect that they would have the opportunity to retake the exams if they failed.
He argues that changing the exam schedule without consulting students, parents, and other stakeholders undermines their legitimate expectations and their right to fair administrative action, as stipulated in the Constitution.
The lawsuit calls for the cancellation of the July 2025 KCSE exams.