Results from the 2025 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examinations show a clear gender-based contrast in subject performance, with male candidates leading in most science-related subjects, while female candidates posted stronger results in languages and creative disciplines.
Speaking during the official release of the results at Chebisaas Boys High School in Eldoret, Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba said boys registered higher performance in 11 subjects. These included Mathematics (both Alternative A and B), Biology (including Biology for the Blind), Chemistry, General Science, Geography, History and Government, Islamic Religious Education, Building Construction and Business Studies.
Girls, on the other hand, outperformed boys in six subjects: English, Kiswahili, Kenyan Sign Language, Home Science, Christian Religious Education and Art and Design. Performance between the two genders was largely balanced in Physics, Agriculture, Computer Studies, French, German, Arabic and Music.
According to the Cabinet Secretary, meaningful gender comparisons could not be made in some technical subjects including Metalwork, Power Mechanics, Electricity, Drawing and Design, and Aviation Technology due to the very low number of female candidates registered in those areas.
Overall performance showed a modest improvement compared to the previous year. A total of 1,932 candidates, representing 0.19 per cent of all candidates, attained the top mean grade of A (plain), up from 1,693 candidates (0.18 per cent) in 2024. The total candidature also increased, with 993,226 students sitting the examination in 2025 an increase of 30,714 candidates or 3.19 per cent from the previous year.
Gender participation figures revealed that female candidates slightly outnumbered males for the second consecutive year. Of the total candidates, 501,214 were female (50.46 per cent), while 492,012 were male (49.54 per cent).
However, regional disparities persisted. Ten counties recorded significantly higher male participation, led by Garissa, Mandera and Wajir. In contrast, 14 counties including Vihiga, Elgeyo Marakwet, Kisumu and Kiambu had notably more female candidates.
Ogamba noted that most parts of the country achieved near gender balance, with 23 counties recording almost equal male and female participation, reflecting steady progress toward parity in access to secondary education nationwide.
