Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Migos Ogamba on Friday released the 2025 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) results, marking a key moment in Kenya’s education history as the country continues the transition away from the 8-4-4 system.

The results were announced at AIC Chebisaas Boys’ High School in Uasin Gishu County, bringing clarity to nearly one million candidates and their families on their next academic steps.

In a statement shared on X on Friday, January 9, 2026, after the release, Ogamba explained where and how the results were made public, and the significance of the occasion for the education sector and the candidates who sat the examination.

“This morning, I have had the honour of officially releasing the 2025 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education examination results at a release ceremony held at the AIC Chebisaas Boys’ High School in Uasin Gishu County,” Ogamba wrote.

The Education CS placed the KCSE within the broader changes taking place in the school system, noting that the 2025 results come at a time of transition as the Competency-Based Curriculum takes root and the 8-4-4 system nears its end.

“KCSE is the terminal summative assessment tool at the end of secondary education, which evaluates candidates’ learning and guides their transition to tertiary education. This year’s release coincides with the transition of the inaugural Grade 10 cohort to Senior School, as we phase out the 8-4-4 system,” the statement reads.

Results breakdown

Ogamba also provided a breakdown of the number of candidates whose results were released, highlighting gender representation among the learners who sat the national examination.

“The results of 993,226 candidates were released, comprising 492,012 male candidates and 501,214 female candidates, representing 49.54% and 50.46% of the total candidature, respectively,” the statement reads.

A key highlight of the 2025 KCSE results was the increase in the number of candidates who attained grades that qualify them for direct university entry, a trend the CS said shows gradual improvement compared to the previous year.

“The number of candidates with direct university entry qualification of mean grade C+ and above was 270,715 (27.18%), an improvement from 246,391 (25.53%) in the 2024 KCSE,” he wrote.

Ogamba noted that the release of the results now opens the door for placement into universities, TVET institutions, and colleges, setting the pace for the next stage in the learners’ education journey.

“Today’s release of the KCSE results now sets the stage for the placement of candidates to tertiary education institutions, either at universities or TVET institutions and colleges,” the statement reads.

The CS also acknowledged the officials who accompanied him during the release, underscoring the collaborative effort behind the administration of national examinations.

“I was accompanied by, among others, the Principal Secretary for Basic Education, Julius Bitok, the Chair of the KNEC Council, Julius Nyabundi; the CEO of KNEC, David Njengere and the acting CEO, TSC, Evaleen Mitei,” he wrote