KCSE 2026 Breakthrough: CS Ogamba Unveils 2025 Results Amid Record University Qualifiers
Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba officially released the 2025 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) results on January 9, 2026, marking a pivotal moment for over 996,000 candidates.
President William Ruto hailed the outcomes as impressive, noting 270,000 students 50% girls secured C+ and above for direct university entry.
“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.”
Release Ceremony Highlights
Ogamba confirmed a total of 996,226 candidates were registered for the 2025 KCSE examinations, which formed part of a broader national assessment cycle involving more than 3.4 million learners across KCSE, the Kenya Primary School Education Assessment (KPSEA), and the inaugural Kenya Junior School Education Assessment (KJSEA).
According to the CS, out of these candidates, 492,012 were male compared to 501,214 females.
“This is the second year in a row since the inception of KCSE that the number of female candidates is higher than male,” Ogamba noted.
The announcement unfolded at AIC Chebisas High School in Eldoret, Uasin Gishu County, following Ogamba’s briefing to President Ruto at Eldoret State Lodge.
Exams ran from October 21 to November 21, 2025, with marking wrapping up by December 13 via 32,558 examiners at 40 centers
This cycle included KPSEA and inaugural KJSEA, assessing 3.4 million learners total.
Performance Statistics
A stellar 1,932 candidates clinched straight A’s, reflecting rigorous preparation despite CBC transition challenges.
The 270,000 C+ qualifiers signal upward trends in sciences and languages, with girls dominating top scores.
This details how 993,000 sat, underscoring equitable gender participation.
KNEC’s structure mandates English/Kiswahili (or Sign Language) and Mathematics as compulsory, plus five best elective subjects for mean grade calculation.
Each subject carries unique codes for registration and assessment, blending compulsory and performance-based scoring.
Candidates check provisional results instantly via KNEC portal using index numbers and 2025 selection activated post-briefing.
Ruto’s nod post-meeting with Ogamba and stakeholders greenlit public access.
Pre-release buzz built from Ruto’s January 7 State House consultations, a tradition ensuring presidential oversight.
KNEC’s portal went live days prior, heightening anticipation amid predictions of modest mean score gains.
These results cap 2025’s assessments, fueling TVET and university placements under expanded funding.
Gender parity shines, with female high achievers boosting national equity goals. Challenges like curriculum shifts persist, yet completion rates impress amid economic pressures.
Top performers eye competitive courses; C+ holders access degree programs, while others pivot to TVET.
Ogamba emphasized verification and counseling, urging stakeholders to support transitions.As 2026 unfolds, focus shifts to 2026 KCSE prep and policy reforms.