KNEC Responds to Allegations Schools Purchased KCSE Results

The Kenya National Examinations Council has strongly rejected allegations suggesting that certain secondary schools received preferential treatment in the 2025 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education examinations.

In a statement released Wednesday, January 21, the national examinations body issued a stern warning against what it described as deliberate misinformation claiming some institutions purchased favorable examination outcomes.

KNEC characterized the allegations, which have gained traction across various social media platforms, as attempts to deceive the public and damage the examination body’s reputation.

Social Media Post Sparks Controversy

The examinations council’s response follows widespread circulation of a Facebook post in which an individual claimed to have met a KCSE candidate who allegedly achieved an A- grade despite demonstrating limited English language proficiency.

The post’s author used this anecdotal account to suggest evidence of examination misconduct, writing: “Now you see what I meant about schools buying examination results?”

KNEC has firmly denied these assertions, labeling the post as fabricated and urging Kenyans to exercise caution before accepting unverified social media content as factual.

“Beware of fake news and misinformation,” the examination council stated, while encouraging citizens to seek information exclusively through official communication channels.

Growing Pressure for Results Review

The clarification arrives during a period of heightened scrutiny following what many have characterized as unexpectedly poor performance in the 2025 KCSE examinations, with calls mounting for the results to undergo comprehensive review.

Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah has publicly questioned KNEC’s administration of the 2025 examinations, raising concerns about potential inequities in the assessment process.

In a January 13 statement, Senator Omtatah issued a seven-day deadline to the examination authority, demanding immediate reconsideration of the results in response to what he characterized as significant unfairness.

Kenya Sign Language Grading Dispute

The senator specifically highlighted the treatment of Kenya Sign Language in the examination scoring system, noting that the subject was allegedly omitted from grade calculations for certain candidates despite its mandatory status for students with hearing impairments.

“KSL was inconsistently excluded from final grade computation for some candidates after the exam, without notice, consultation, or legal basis. This violates fairness, legitimate expectation, and inclusive education principles,” Senator Omtatah contended.

The lawmaker’s intervention has added another dimension to the ongoing debate surrounding the 2025 KCSE results, with stakeholders across the education sector closely monitoring how KNEC will address these concerns.

The examination council has not yet issued a detailed response to Senator Omtatah’s specific allegations regarding Kenya Sign Language assessment procedures. However, its latest statement emphasizes the institution’s commitment to maintaining examination integrity and transparency in all its operations.