At least 1,180 candidates did not receive their 2025 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) results after they were implicated in examination malpractices, education authorities have confirmed.
The Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) said the results were cancelled following extensive investigations that uncovered cheating, collusion, use of unauthorized materials and other breaches of examination regulations during the October–November 2025 exams.
Education officials noted that the affected candidates were conclusively linked to irregularities through data analysis and centre-based scrutiny, insisting that no innocent candidate was punished. Those found culpable face permanent cancellation of their results under existing examination laws.
Notably, the 1,180 cases mark an increase from the 840 results cancelled in the 2024 KCSE, highlighting a worrying rise in examination malpractices despite tighter security measures introduced by the government. The announcement has sparked mixed reactions across the country. While some parents and education stakeholders welcomed the firm stance, saying it restores credibility to national exams, others expressed concern over the growing desperation among candidates and called for deeper reforms in the education system.
On social media, Kenyans were divided, with some praising authorities for “protecting honest students,” while others urged the government to address exam pressure, school preparedness and integrity among invigilators.
KNEC has reiterated its warning to candidates, teachers and school administrators against engaging in or facilitating cheating, saying tougher sanctions will continue to be enforced to safeguard the integrity of national examinations.
