KCSE 2025: 270,000 students attain C+ and above
By Faith Lagat, January 9, 2026President William Ruto has expressed satisfaction with the 2025 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) results, calling them a milestone for the nation’s education sector.
This comes after the president received a briefing at Eldoret State Lodge in Uasin Gishu County from Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba, ahead of the official release.
“We are impressed that out of the 993,000 candidates, 50 per cent of whom were girls, 270,000 attained C+ and above, securing a direct entry to university,” President Ruto stated in a post on X dated January 9, 2026.
This represents a 10 per cent increase in university qualifiers compared to previous years, signalling progress in access to higher education. The release ceremony is set, where CS Ogamba will present national performance trends, subject analyses, and other key details.
Ogamba had earlier assured the public that the timing of the announcement aligns with the Kenya National Examinations Council’s January calendar, dismissing concerns over perceived delays.
Final cohort under 8-4-4 system
The 2025 KCSE cohort marks the formal conclusion of the 8-4-4 education system, which ended on November 14, 2025. These students are among the last to complete the curriculum introduced decades ago.
As Kenya transitions to the Competency-Based Curriculum, the results highlight ongoing reforms aimed at enhancing skills development and promoting educational equity. Despite logistical challenges, including adjustments following the public holiday declared on October 17 to honour the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, the examinations proceeded smoothly.
KNEC deployed 10,765 centre managers, 12,126 supervisors, 54,782 invigilators, 22,247 security officers, and 2,692 drivers for the KCSE exams, with additional personnel supporting centres administering multiple assessments.
Measures to prevent early exposure of examination papers included double collection of second-session papers and expanded storage facilities across sub-counties.
Integrity and gender parity maintained
Integrity remained a priority, with only 418 candidates reported for malpractice, reflecting a decline from previous years. Authorities have pledged thorough investigations and enforcement of penalties under the KNEC Act.
President Ruto highlighted gender parity, noting that half of the candidates were girls and that day schools contributed significantly to the pool of university qualifiers.