It is a tradition as old as the exams themselves, yet it remains shrouded in mystery. Before the television cameras roll and the Education Cabinet Secretary reads out the list of top achievers, a frantic, high-stakes meeting takes place behind the heavy gates of the President’s residence. This year, the ritual moved from the manicured lawns of State House, Nairobi, to the Eldoret State Lodge, adding a logistical layer of chaos to an already tense morning.

On Friday, January 9, 2026, Education CS Julius Migos Ogamba, Principal Secretary Dr. Belio Kipsang, and KNEC CEO Dr. David Njengere were seen scrambling for evening flights to Eldoret. Their mission? To present the "Green Book"—the confidential dossier containing the fate of 993,000 candidates—to President William Ruto.

The "Green Book" and the "Red Flags"

The briefing is not merely ceremonial; it is a national security vetting of the examination results. Sources privy to the meeting reveal that the President is not just told who passed; he is briefed on the "intelligence" of the exam.

• The Integrity Report: The first item on the agenda is always cheating. The National Intelligence Service (NIS) presents a counter-report to verify KNEC’s data. This year, the focus was on the 2,829 withheld results in Nyamira. The President must sign off on the decision to cancel or withhold results, ensuring that the political fallout is managed from the top.
• The Regional Balance: The "Green Book" breaks down performance by county. In a country where education is a political hot potato, the President looks for skewed patterns. A sudden spike in As in one region (like the "Nyamira Satellite" phenomenon of 2024) is flagged for explanation. The briefing ensures the President is armed with data to counter claims of bias or "academic engineering."
• The University Capacity Check: Before the CS announces that "all C+ students will get places," the President demands confirmation from the Universities Funding Board (UFB). The crisis of the new funding model means the President must know exactly how many billions are needed to sponsor the 270,715 qualifiers. Announcing the results without the budget is a political suicide trap.

Why Eldoret?

Breaking with the Nairobi-centric tradition was a deliberate choice. By hosting the briefing and the release in Uasin Gishu, President Ruto is signaling the devolution of state functions. However, it created a logistical nightmare. Officials had to transport the sensitive physical hard drives and master rolls under heavy GSU guard from Mitihani House to Eldoret, a 300km journey that was tracked in real-time by the situation room.

The "Go-Ahead"

The meeting concludes with the President’s "Go-Ahead." It is only after he is satisfied that the results are credible and the narrative is set that the CS is allowed to face the media. In 2026, the briefing ran longer than usual—reportedly due to the President’s keen interest in the "Day School" performance data, which he sees as a validation of his Bottom-Up agenda.

So, when you see the CS reading a speech at 9:00 AM, know that the real exam was passed (or failed) at 6:00 AM in a closed room with the Head of State.