The Ministry of Education, (MoE) has cancelled the 2025 KCSE examination results for 1,180 candidates after investigations confirmed cases of cheating and other irregularities during the October 21-November 14 exam period.
Speaking in Eldoret on January 9, Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba said the cancellations were effected in line with existing laws and regulations to protect the integrity of Kenya’s assessment system.
“Following the conclusion of investigations, 1,180 candidates were found to have been involved in examination irregularities. Consequently, their examination results have been cancelled,” CS Ogamba said, adding that strict compliance with exam rules remains essential to maintaining credibility and public trust.
Ogamba urged candidates, schools, and administrators to adhere closely to regulations, warning that any attempt to compromise national exams would be met with firm action.
The cancellations represent about 0.12 per cent of the total candidature, out of 993,226 candidates who sat the KCSE across the country. Officials noted that while the proportion is small, the decision underscores the government’s zero‑tolerance stance on malpractice and its commitment to fairness and transparency in national assessments.
According to the Ministry, the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) conducted post‑exam investigations that uncovered the irregularities, prompting the nullification of the affected results.
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The probe focused on reported breaches during the examination window and relied on established verification procedures to determine culpability. Authorities said the process was guided by statutory frameworks that safeguard both due process and the credibility of certification.
CS Ogamba emphasised that the enforcement action is part of broader efforts to strengthen exam administration and deter malpractice. He reiterated that adherence to rules, from registration and supervision to marking and release forms the backbone of a credible system.
“Strict compliance with exam rules is essential for maintaining credibility in national assessments,” he said, calling on schools to reinforce internal controls and on candidates to uphold personal responsibility.
Ogamba said the cancellations serve as a reminder that fairness in assessment depends on collective accountability.
The CS concluded by affirming that the government will sustain measures that uphold standards, protect honest candidates, and preserve confidence in the national examination system.
By Masaki Enock
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