Impressive KCSE Performance in 2025: Record Results Announced in Kenya

Nairobi, 9 January 2026 — Kenya’s education authorities on Friday released the 2025 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) results, revealing an overall improvement in student performance compared with the previous year’s examinations.

Standout Results and National Trends

• A total of 1,932 candidates (0.19 % of the 993,226 students who sat the exam) achieved the highest possible grade of A (plain) — an increase from 1,693 (0.18 %) in 2024.
• This improvement in top grades was highlighted by Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Migos Ogamba during the official release ceremony in Eldoret, Uasin Gishu County.
• The number of students qualifying for direct university admission (grade C+ and above) rose to 270,715 (27.18 %), up from 246,391 (25.53 %) in the previous year.
• More than half the candidates scored C- or better — 507,131 learners, compared with 476,889 in 2024 — marking a significant milestone in national exam performance.
• In addition, 634,082 candidates (63.67 %) attained a pass grade of D+ and above, an increase from 605,774 in 2024.

Subject and Demographic Insights

The results showed a mixed performance across subjects, with 17 subjects recording improved outcomes and 11 registering declines compared to last year. Mathematics emerged as the top-performing subject, underlining its crucial role in overall grading under the revised KCSE framework.

The 2025 examination saw female candidates slightly outnumber their male counterparts, with girls accounting for just over 50 % of the total candidates. Gender analysis revealed strengths differed by subject, with females performing better in several languages, while male candidates posted higher scores in some science and technical subjects.

Education System Context

The 2025 KCSE cycle was administered under Kenya’s existing grading system, which considers performance in Mathematics, a language subject, and five other best-performing subjects to calculate overall mean grades.

Officials noted that the results reflect a positive trajectory in academic achievement and underscore ongoing reforms in the education sector, even as the country transitions towards a new education curriculum framework.

Official Responses

National leaders and education officials congratulated students and schools for their efforts. Deputy President Kithure Kindiki lauded the resilience and dedication shown by the nearly one million candidates who took the exam, urging them to view their results as a stepping stone to further opportunities in higher education, vocational training, and the world of work.

Sources:

• How KCSE candidates recorded impressive performance, Nation Africa (9 Jan. 2026)
• 2025 KCSE results released: 1,932 score A, People Daily (9 Jan. 2026)
• 1,932 Students Score Grade A as KCSE Results Show Improved Performance, Capital FM (9 Jan. 2026)
• Mathematics emerges as top-performing subject in 2025 KCSE, Eastleigh Voice (9 Jan. 2026)
• Over half of KCSE candidates score above C- for first time in a decade, Business Daily Africa (9 Jan. 2026)
• Kindiki congratulates KCSE candidates after results, Dawan Africa (9 Jan. 2026)