KNEC Cancels Results for 1,180 Candidates Over 2025 KCSE Examination Irregularities

ELDORET, KENYA — The Kenya National Examinations Council has nullified examination results for 1,180 candidates who sat the 2025 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education, citing involvement in examination malpractice following completed investigations.

Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba announced the cancellations Friday during the official release of 2025 KCSE results at AIC Chebisas High School in Eldoret, confirming that affected students would not receive their examination outcomes.

Legal Framework Invoked

The Cabinet Secretary justified the Council’s decision by referencing the KNEC (Handling of Examination Irregularities) Rules of 2015, Legal Notice No. 132 of 2015, which provides the statutory authority to suspend or withhold candidate results in cases of examination misconduct.

“I wish to reiterate our stand on the integrity of examinations. In November last year, we indicated that there were reported cases under investigation and that action would be taken upon conclusion of the investigation,” Ogamba stated during the announcement.

“At the conclusion of the KCSE examination, 1,180 candidates were found to have been involved in examination irregularities. Consequently, and in line with the applicable law and regulations, their examination results have been cancelled,” he added.

Rising Trend in Malpractice Cases

The number of cancelled results represents a significant increase compared to the previous examination cycle, with 840 candidates having their 2024 KCSE results nullified while an additional 2,829 results were withheld pending investigations.

The 2025 figure of 1,180 cancellations marks approximately a 40 percent rise from the previous year, indicating an escalating pattern of examination misconduct among candidates.

Investigation Timeline

The examination irregularities were initially flagged during the November 2024 examination period, with KNEC launching formal investigations that concluded prior to Friday’s results release.

The Council employed established protocols to investigate reported cases of malpractice, gathering evidence and conducting assessments before determining appropriate sanctions.

Examination Integrity Measures

The cancellations underscore the government’s commitment to maintaining credibility within Kenya’s national examination system, which serves as the primary mechanism for assessing secondary education outcomes and determining tertiary institution admissions.

KNEC has implemented various measures to detect and prevent examination irregularities, including surveillance technologies, anti-cheating protocols, and strict examination center supervision requirements.

Common forms of examination malpractice include unauthorized possession of examination materials, use of prohibited devices, impersonation, collusion between candidates, and leakage of examination content prior to scheduled testing.

Consequences for Affected Candidates

Candidates whose results have been cancelled face significant educational and career setbacks, as the KCSE certificate represents the primary qualification for university admission, employment opportunities, and further education pathways.

Affected students may need to wait until the next examination cycle to retake their KCSE examinations, resulting in delayed educational progression and potential financial implications for families.

Regulatory Authority

The KNEC (Handling of Examination Irregularities) Rules of 2015 establish comprehensive procedures for investigating suspected malpractice, including provisions for candidate hearings, evidence presentation, and appeals processes.

The regulatory framework empowers KNEC to impose various sanctions ranging from warning letters to complete result cancellation depending on the severity of established irregularities.

The growing number of cancelled results raises questions about examination security protocols, student ethics education, and the effectiveness of deterrent measures currently in place within Kenya’s secondary education system.

Education stakeholders continue advocating for strengthened examination integrity measures, including enhanced supervision, technological interventions, and character development programs that emphasize academic honesty.

The 2025 KCSE examination involved 993,226 candidates across Kenya, with the vast majority receiving their results without incident following Friday’s official release.