The 2025 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examinations have marked a notable milestone in gender equity.

Cabinet Secretary for Gender, Culture, the Arts and Heritage, Hanna Wendot Cheptumo, highlighted that exactly 50 per cent of the 993,000 candidates were girls, reflecting sustained progress in achieving gender parity in secondary education participation and completion.

President William Ruto received a briefing from Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba at Eldoret State Lodge in Uasin Gishu County ahead of the official results release on January 9, 2026. The data revealed that 270,000 candidates attained a mean grade of C+ and above, qualifying for direct entry into university programmes.

This increase in university-eligible students demonstrates progress in educational access and performance across the country.

Impact of gender-responsive policies

CS Cheptumo attributed the gender-balanced outcomes to deliberate government policies that promote equal access, retention, and success for girls in schools.

“I take note of the Update by H.E. the President @WilliamsRuto at Eldoret State Lodge, Uasin Gishu County, ahead of the release of the 2025 KCSE Examinations. The data is encouraging: out of the 993,000 candidates who sat the examinations, 50 per cent were girls, reflecting sustained progress in gender parity in education. Further, 270,000 candidates attained a C+ and above, qualifying for direct university entry.”

She reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to ensuring that every learner, regardless of gender, can realise their full potential.

“These outcomes reaffirm the importance of deliberate, gender-responsive education policies and continued collaboration across government to ensure equitable access, retention and success for all learners.”

The results also coincide with the final cohort under the 8-4-4 education system, which concluded on November 14, 2025.

Kenya transitions to the Competency-Based Curriculum, the outcomes highlight ongoing reforms focused on skills development, inclusivity, and broad-based learning opportunities.

Examination administration and integrity

The 2025 KCSE examinations were administered smoothly despite logistical adjustments, including a public holiday on October 17 to honour the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.

To safeguard examination integrity, measures included double collection of second-session papers and expanded sub-county storage facilities.

Only 418 cases of malpractice were reported, a decline from previous years, and authorities pledged thorough investigations and penalties under the KNEC Act.

Day schools significantly contributed to the number of university qualifiers, indicating improvements across various educational institutions.