Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba announced that 246,391 candidates in the 2024 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) exams achieved the direct university entry grade of C+ and above. This represents 25.53% of the total candidates, a significant increase from 22.27% (201,133 candidates) in 2023.
Speaking during the release of the results on Thursday, Ogamba attributed the rise to the improved grading system introduced this year.
The 2024 KCSE exams, conducted from October 28, involved 965,501 candidates across 10,755 exam centers nationwide. To ensure timely and accurate marking, the government deployed 32,800 examiners, an increase from 29,876 in 2023.
Additionally, 476,889 candidates (49.41%) attained a grade of C- or higher, qualifying for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) diploma programs. This marks an increase from 44.42% (401,216 candidates) in 2023. Candidates with D+ and above reached 605,774 (62.76%), up from 58% (526,222 candidates) the previous year.
To enhance exam credibility, Ogamba revealed that candidate exam papers were personalized and anonymized for the first time, improving objectivity in marking and holding candidates accountable for irregularities. Despite these efforts, 840 candidates were found guilty of malpractice, leading to the cancellation of their results.
The CS also noted an improvement in top grades, with 1,693 candidates achieving straight A’s. The total number of candidates who sat the exam increased by 6.89% to 962,512 compared to 2023.
Students can access their results online through the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) website by entering their index numbers and registered names. For assistance, candidates may contact KNEC via toll-free numbers 0800724900 or 0800721410.
Ogamba congratulated all candidates and encouraged those who did not meet university entry criteria to explore other educational opportunities, emphasizing the importance of diverse pathways in shaping a bright future.
