KNEC Releases 2025 KCSE Results

Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba has officially released the 2025 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) results at the AIC Chebisaas High School in Eldoret, Uasin Gishu County.

The examinations concluded on November 21, 2025, after about five weeks of continuous assessment, having commenced on October 21.

A total of 993,000 candidates sat the national examination, which determines learners’ transition to higher levels of education.

Out of these, 492,019 were male, while 501,214 of the candidates were female. The candidates were tested in 30 subjects, using a total of 74 papers.

For ease of administration, KNEC used 633 Distribution Centres (containers) that are installed countrywide, for daily distribution of materials in the field

According to the results, 270,000 candidates attained a mean grade of C+ and above, qualifying for direct entry into university. Girls accounted for about 50 per cent of the total candidature.

Further, 1,932 candidates scored grade A, representing the highest-performing cohort in the examination.

The Ministry of Education said 418 candidates were implicated in examination irregularities, marking a drop from the 614 cases recorded in 2024.

The 2025 KCSE results show a rise in the number of younger candidates sitting the examination. Candidates aged 16 years and below increased from 20,546, representing 2.13 per cent in 2024, to 26,391, accounting for 2.65 per cent in 2025.

However, the majority of candidates were within the appropriate age bracket. Those aged between 17 and 19 years formed the largest group, with 716,048 candidates, representing 72.02 per cent of the total candidature.

On subject performance, KNEC reported mixed outcomes across the curriculum. A total of 17 subjects recorded a significant improvement in performance in 2025, the same number as in 2024.

At the same time, performance declined in 11 subjects in 2025, compared to 10 subjects that recorded a decline in the previous year.

Gender analysis showed that female candidates outperformed their male counterparts in six subjects, including English, Kiswahili, Kenyan Sign Language, Home Science, Christian Religious Education and Art and Design.

Male candidates posted higher mean scores in 11 subjects, among them Mathematics Alternatives A and B, Biology, Chemistry, History and Government, Geography, Islamic Religious Education, Building Construction and Business Studies.

Performance between male and female candidates was comparable in seven subjects, including Physics, Agriculture, Computer Studies and Music. KNEC noted that the number of female candidates in technical subjects such as Metalwork, Power Mechanics, Electricity, Drawing and Design and Aviation Technology was too small to allow for meaningful comparison.

Following the official release of the national examination, all the candidates can now check their 2025 KCSE results through the official KNEC portal;results.knec.ac.ke. Candidates are required to enter their index number and index number as per the registration data provided to KNEC.

Earlier, President William Ruto was briefed on the results at Eldoret State Lodge, in line with long-standing practice.

In an effort to address longstanding issues around withheld certificates, the ministry has introduced a new system where candidates will collect their KCSE certificates from subcounty education offices instead of their former schools. The change is intended to prevent delays linked to unpaid school fees.