Speaking on Thursday, January 8, CS Ogamba announced that the national examination results will be released by Thursday next week, bringing clarity to more than 929,000 candidates who sat the exams between October 21 and November 14, 2025.
The announcement follows growing public concern over what many parents and school administrators described as an unusually long delay in the release of the results.
However, the Education Ministry dismissed fears of irregularities, insisting the timeline remains consistent with recent years where KCSE results are typically released in January.
“This is part of our established calendar. There is no crisis or abnormal delay,” Ogamba said, assuring candidates that the marking and verification process had entered its final stages.
New Policy on KCSE Certificates
In a major policy shift set to impact thousands of learners nationwide, the Education Ministry also confirmed that KCSE certificates will no longer be collected from former secondary schools.
Instead, candidates will now obtain their certificates from sub-county education offices, a move aimed at ending the long-standing practice where schools withhold certificates due to unpaid fees.
Education officials said the change is designed to protect learners’ rights and ensure all candidates can access higher education, training, or employment opportunities without unnecessary barriers.
“For years, students have suffered because of fee disputes long after completing school. This policy ensures certificates belong to the candidate, not the institution,” a senior ministry official said.
The move has been welcomed by education rights groups, particularly in counties such as Nairobi, Kakamega, Homa Bay, Bungoma, and Migori, where cases of certificate withholding have been most reported.
Challenges During Marking
The 2025 KCSE marking process was not without challenges. The Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) confirmed that 418 cases of examination malpractice were recorded during the examination period.
Additionally, the marking exercise briefly stalled after about 800 examiners at Maryhill Girls High School in Thika went on strike, citing poor working conditions and delayed communication from the Ministry.
KNEC later resolved the standoff, confirming that all examiners were paid and marking resumed smoothly, clearing the final hurdle ahead of the results release.
“We addressed the concerns raised and ensured marking continued without compromising integrity,” KNEC said in a statement.
Nationwide Anticipation
Across counties including Mombasa, Kisumu, Nakuru, Uasin Gishu, Trans Nzoia, and Kisii, schools have reported heightened tension as candidates prepare for results that will determine university placements, TVET admissions, and career paths.
Education stakeholders have called on the government to ensure transparency during the release process and timely opening of university and college placement portals.
What Comes Next
Following the release of results, the Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS) is expected to announce placement timelines for the 2026 academic year.
As the countdown begins, millions of Kenyans will be watching closely, hopeful that the end of the wait will bring clarity, opportunity, and a fresh chapter for the Class of 2025.
“This is part of our established calendar. There is no crisis or abnormal delay,” Ogamba said, assuring candidates that the marking and verification process had entered its final stages.
New Policy on KCSE Certificates
In a major policy shift set to impact thousands of learners nationwide, the Education Ministry also confirmed that KCSE certificates will no longer be collected from former secondary schools.
Instead, candidates will now obtain their certificates from sub-county education offices, a move aimed at ending the long-standing practice where schools withhold certificates due to unpaid fees.
Education officials said the change is designed to protect learners’ rights and ensure all candidates can access higher education, training, or employment opportunities without unnecessary barriers.
“For years, students have suffered because of fee disputes long after completing school. This policy ensures certificates belong to the candidate, not the institution,” a senior ministry official said.
The move has been welcomed by education rights groups, particularly in counties such as Nairobi, Kakamega, Homa Bay, Bungoma, and Migori, where cases of certificate withholding have been most reported.
Challenges During Marking
The 2025 KCSE marking process was not without challenges. The Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) confirmed that 418 cases of examination malpractice were recorded during the examination period.
Additionally, the marking exercise briefly stalled after about 800 examiners at Maryhill Girls High School in Thika went on strike, citing poor working conditions and delayed communication from the Ministry.
KNEC later resolved the standoff, confirming that all examiners were paid and marking resumed smoothly, clearing the final hurdle ahead of the results release.
“We addressed the concerns raised and ensured marking continued without compromising integrity,” KNEC said in a statement.
Nationwide Anticipation
Across counties including Mombasa, Kisumu, Nakuru, Uasin Gishu, Trans Nzoia, and Kisii, schools have reported heightened tension as candidates prepare for results that will determine university placements, TVET admissions, and career paths.
Parents have also been urged to manage expectations and offer emotional support, regardless of outcomes.
Education stakeholders have called on the government to ensure transparency during the release process and timely opening of university and college placement portals.
What Comes Next
Following the release of results, the Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS) is expected to announce placement timelines for the 2026 academic year.
As the countdown begins, millions of Kenyans will be watching closely, hopeful that the end of the wait will bring clarity, opportunity, and a fresh chapter for the Class of 2025.
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