KCSE 2025: 359,144 candidates score D and below
By Aloys Michael, January 9, 2026A total of 359,144 students received grades D, D–, and E in the 2025 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examinations, according to results released by the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC).
Speaking on Friday, January 9, 2026, during the release ceremony held at AIC Chebisaas Boys’ High School in Uasin Gishu County, Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba said a total of 993,226 candidates sat the 2025 KCSE examination.
“A total of 359,144 candidates scored D, D– and E in the 2025 KCSE examinations, representing more than a third of the 993,226 students who sat the tests,” the CS revealed.
He said the candidature comprised 492,012 male candidates and 501,214 female candidates, representing 49.54 per cent and 50.46 per cent of the total, respectively.
Out of this number, Ogamba said 1,932 candidates, representing 0.19 per cent, obtained an overall mean grade of A plain.
National schools produced the highest number of candidates with a mean grade of A at 1,526, followed by extra-county schools with 197 and private schools with 185.
Overall, the number of candidates who attained the direct university entry qualification of mean grade C+ and above stood at 270,715, representing 27.18 per cent, while those who scored mean grade C– and above totalled 507,131, or 50.92 per cent.
Subcounty schools produced more candidates in the C+ and above category compared to county schools, accounting for 72,699 and 36,600 candidates, respectively.
Ogamba said that overall, 634,082 candidates, or 63.67 per cent of the total candidature, attained the pass grade of D+ and above.
According to the statistics, 268,783 candidates obtained a mean grade of C+, 236,416 obtained a mean grade of C–, while 126,951 attained a mean grade of D+.
This left a balance of 359,144 candidates who obtained mean grades of D, D– or E.
Learners within this group can opt to enrol in vocational training programmes at different institutions after the Ministry lowered admission thresholds in 2023. Entry requirements for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions differ depending on the programme, with diploma courses requiring a minimum grade of C–, craft certificate courses a D, and artisan programmes an E.
Boys and girls performance
In terms of performance, female candidates posted higher mean scores in English, Kiswahili, Kenyan Sign Language, Home Science, Christian Religious Education (CRE), and Art and Design.
On the other hand, male candidates outperformed their female counterparts in 11 subjects, including Mathematics (Alternatives A and B), Biology (including Biology for the Blind), Chemistry, General Science, History and Government, Geography, Islamic Religious Education (IRE), Building Construction, and Business Studies.
“In terms of performance, female candidates posted higher mean scores in English, Kiswahili, Kenyan Sign Language, Home Science, Christian Religious Education (CRE), and Art and Design,” he said.
“On the other hand, male candidates outperformed their female counterparts in 11 subjects, including Mathematics (Alternatives A and B), Biology (including Biology for the Blind), Chemistry, General Science, History and Government, Geography, Islamic Religious Education (IRE), Building Construction, and Business Studies.”
Performance in Physics, Agriculture, Computer Studies, French, German, Arabic and Music was comparable between the genders.
However, Ogamba noted that the number of female candidates who sat Metalwork, Power Mechanics, Electricity, Drawing and Design, and Aviation Technology was too small to allow for a meaningful comparison of performance with their male counterparts.