More than 220,000 learners who completed primary school in 2021 did not proceed to sit the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examinations in 2025, according to Ministry of Education data.
Of the 1,214,031 candidates who sat the 2021 Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE), only 993,226 from that cohort eventually presented themselves for the 2025 KCSE assessment, underscoring persistent gaps in the secondary transition pipeline.
The 2021 KCPE class comprised 610,384 boys (50.28 per cent) and 603,647 girls (49.72 per cent), then Education Cabinet Secretary George Magoha reported at the time. Performance distribution showed wide variance: 47 per cent of candidates scored within the 200‑mark range, 25 per cent between 300 and 399 marks, and just 0.9 per cent above 400 marks. At the lower end, 0.1 per cent scored below 100 marks, reflecting the breadth of learning outcomes across the country.
Latest figures from the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) indicate that 995,860 candidates were registered for the 2025 KCSE, with 993,226 eventually sitting the papers. A total of 2,634 registered candidates did not appear for the exams. While secondary participation has grown over recent years, 830,854 registered and 826,807 sat KCSE in 2021, the pace of expansion is moderating, suggesting a stabilising trend after successive increases.
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The government’s 100 per cent transition policy, anchored in the Basic Education Act, requires that every child who enrols in primary school completes secondary education, placing a legal obligation on parents and guardians to ensure enrolment.
Stakeholders, however, argue that the policy needs refinement to accommodate diverse learner pathways. They note that some students opt for vocational and technical training, carpentry, plumbing, tailoring, and masonry after primary school, and should be supported to pursue these routes while continuing with foundational subjects such as English and mathematics to strengthen communication and entrepreneurial skills.
Data also points to disparities across school categories. National and extra‑county schools benefit from cut‑off admissions, while sub‑county schools absorb the bulk of learners under the 100 per cent transition, often admitting students with lower marks. In the 2025 KCSE, national schools led at the top end: of the 1,932 candidates who attained grade A (plain), 1,526, 79 per cent were from national schools.
Extra‑county schools produced 197 A‑plain candidates, and private schools 185. Yet sub‑county schools outperformed county schools in the university entry band (C+ and above), registering 72,699 candidates compared to 36,600 from county schools.
Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba said the results highlight “the strong performance of small schools outside the traditional elite system,” adding that candidates are expected to transition to universities and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions. He outlined measures to expand access and affordability at the tertiary level, including a student‑centred funding model that allocates scholarships and loans based on need.
Ogamba further noted that fees for academic programmes in public universities have been rationalised by 15 to 40 per cent, with semester charges now ranging from Sh5,800 to Sh75,000. He urged eligible candidates to apply for placement once the process opens, saying the reforms are intended to reduce financial barriers and support progression from secondary to higher education and training.
By Masaki Enock
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