Govt Denies KCSE Result Manipulation, Promises Release in 10 Day

After what looked like ages, the government announced on Thursday, January 2, that it would release the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) results in 10 days.

This comes as tensions over the delayed release of the results cause panic and anxiety among parents and students alike. The delay has resulted in murmurs of exam manipulation, a claim that has the government on the defensive.

However, the Ministry of Education, in a bid to array the fears, has asserted that the results of the 2024 Form Four exams are undergoing analysis of scores and grades. This process is being done by the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) after teachers completed the marking of the exams in mid-December.

Basic Education Principal Secretary Belio Kipsang insists that there are no delays in releasing the results, affirming that the timelines remain the same as in 2023.

While speaking in Mombasa during an education tour to prepare for school reopening next week, Kipsang said that for two consecutive years, KNEC will be releasing results in January.

“What is different this year is that we did not have the Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE), so it feels like something is missing. Nevertheless, we will release results within the next 10 days,” stated Kipsang.

According to the government, the delay has been occasioned by the large number of candidates last year. The 2024 exams had the largest candidature in the history of the examinations.

“This is the second year we are releasing results at the beginning of the year because… you know the problem with all of us is that when we release results in December, we are accused of rushing. So, we decided to take time to address all issues and ensure the smooth release of results,” asserted Kipsang.

He, however, dismissed claims that the results had been delayed to allow manipulation in favour of big national schools. The process of analysis allows KNEC to review the results to catch any anomalies.

In 2013, the Ministry of Education cancelled results from 36 schools due to cheating, affecting institutions such as Maranda High School and Ng’iya Girls High School.

“This year, we implemented structures and systems to ensure the smooth running of exams and gave our examiners sufficient time to mark. Each child will receive results that reflect their four years of hard work. I can assure you that all processes have gone on very well,” stated Kipsang.

Over the past decade, KCSE examination results have typically been released between December and January, with specific dates varying annually.

For instance, in 2016, results were announced in December, while in 2015, they were released in March. Barring 2020 and 2021 results that were released on adjusted academic calendars, the government has often released the results in December.