Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has applauded the 2025 Kenya Certificate for Secondary Education (KCSE) candidates who managed to earn direct entry into the university.

Based on the results announced by the Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Migos on Friday, January 9, 2026, in Eldoret, a total of 270,715 students qualified for university after attaining a mean grade of C+ and above.

Kindiki’s congratulatory message

Taking to X shortly thereafter, the results were announced. Kindiki also hailed the 993,226 candidates who sat for the KCSE exams in 2025. He also encouraged those who did not meet the mark in university admission, adding that examination results are not an end in themselves but a means to an end.

”Congratulations to the 993,226 students who sat the 2025 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE). I applaud the 270,715 students who have qualified to join University, and also the rest who will find training and skills development opportunities in tertiary institutions, vocational training institutions and other opportunities. Examination results are not an end in themselves but a means to an end,” Kindiki wrote.

The deputy president also described the proposed Competence-Based Education and Training (CBET) system as a game-changer in the country’s human resources, as Kenya replaces the traditional KCSE by 2027. 

Abolishing KCSE 

”As Kenya retires the nostalgic KCSE by 2027, the transition to the Competence Based Education and Training (CBET) system will provide a more adaptive human resource for our country, the software and key enabler of Kenya’s ambition to join the nations of the economic first world within a generation,” Kindiki added.

Kithure Kindiki also took the opportunity to defend the new education system over the old 8-4-4, saying it is a superior alternative. He said CBET will remain in place until a full transition is implemented.

”While the 8-4-4 programme has been a good education system, CBET is a better and superior alternative. The Government has taken deliberate steps in the last three years to ensure a smooth transition from 8-4- 4 to CBET. This will remain the case until we achieve the full implementation of the transition and thereafter the fine tuning and perfection thereof.” Kithure Kindiki said.