Consistent Growth
~12%
Rise from 2020 to 2024
Completion Rate
>99%
Sit for the exam each year
Registration Trend
~4%
Annual increase in registrations
Total Candidature (2020-2024)
A consistent upward trend in the total number of KCSE candidates over the past five years.
Why this trend?
The steady growth reflects the success of national policies like the 100% transition from primary to secondary school, which has significantly expanded access to education across the country (Wikipedia).
Recommendation
Focus on investing in infrastructure and teacher training to accommodate the growing number of students and maintain educational quality.
Annual Candidature per Region (2020-2024)
Visualizing trends in KCSE participation across different regions over the last five years.
Why this trend?
Consistent growth in most regions indicates improved access to secondary education, likely driven by the 100% transition policy. However, arid and semi-arid lands (ASALs) like North Eastern lag due to economic hardships, a pastoralist way of life, and cultural factors (Ministry of Education Sector Analysis Report, Vision 2030).
Recommendation
Implement targeted interventions in ASAL counties, such as mobile schools, school feeding programs, and community sensitization campaigns to address cultural barriers and improve enrollment and retention.
Total Registered vs. Sat (2020-2024)
Comparing registered candidates versus those who sat for the exam, revealing potential dropout rates.
Why this trend?
A persistent gap between registered and sitting candidates signals challenges in retention. ASAL counties show lower completion rates, often due to economic hardships, early marriage, or child labor (Ballard Brief).
Recommendation
Strengthen financial support systems for vulnerable students, such as bursaries and scholarships, and enforce policies against early marriage and child labor to ensure registered candidates can complete their education.
Gender Disparity in Participation (2020-2024)
Comparing male and female candidates who sat for the KCSE exam over the years.
Why this trend?
National efforts have led to near gender parity, with female candidates slightly outnumbering males in recent years. This success reflects progress toward SDG 4.5. However, regional disparities persist, particularly in North Eastern counties (Wikipedia - Gender Disparities in Kenyan Education).
Recommendation
In regions where female participation is low, launch mentorship programs and safe spaces for girls. In areas where boys are lagging, investigate underlying causes and develop targeted support programs.
Registered vs. Sat by Gender (2020-2024)
Comparing registered and participating candidates by gender to analyze dropout trends.
Why this trend?
This breakdown reveals subtle differences in dropout rates between genders. While overall rates are low, analyzing these gaps helps identify if one gender faces more significant hurdles in the final year of secondary school.
Implication
Gender-specific analysis is crucial for designing effective interventions. Policies may need to address issues like early marriage for girls or economic pressures on boys.
Counties with Highest vs. Lowest Participation
A comparison of the top 5 and bottom 5 counties by KCSE candidature in 2024.
Why this trend?
High participation in counties like Nairobi and Kiambu is linked to urbanization, better infrastructure, and higher economic status. Conversely, low participation in counties like Tana River and Isiolo reflects marginalization, insecurity, and socio-economic challenges (OHCHR).
Implication
The stark regional inequality highlights the need for resource allocation formulas that prioritize marginalized counties to bridge the educational gap.
Regional Candidature Growth (2020-2024)
Year-over-year growth trends across Kenya's eight regions.
Why this trend?
While all regions show growth, the rate varies. Urbanized regions have a higher baseline, while some rural regions show faster growth rates, possibly due to targeted development projects and increased awareness.
Implication
Sustaining growth in all regions requires tailored strategies that address unique local challenges, from infrastructure in rural areas to congestion in urban schools.
Candidates by Age Group (2020-2024)
Distribution of candidates across different age groups.
Why this trend?
The high number of over-age candidates (19+) in certain regions points to delayed school entry, grade repetition, or interruptions due to economic and social factors (2023 KCSE Age Distribution by Region – Studocu).
Recommendation
Introduce flexible learning pathways and adult education programs to support over-age learners and ensure they can complete their secondary education.
Dropout Rate vs. Gender
Correlation between the percentage of dropouts and female candidature share by region in 2024.
Why this trend?
The scatter plot shows a potential negative correlation in some regions, suggesting that as the proportion of female candidates increases, the dropout rate may decrease. This could indicate that environments supportive of female education also foster better retention for all students (IJSRA).
Implication
Policies promoting gender equality in education may have a positive ripple effect on overall student retention and success.