2025 KCSE Exam Results: KNEC Shuts Down Claims Exams Can Be Accessed by SMS
The Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) has categorically dismissed claims that candidates can access their 2025 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) results via SMS, following widespread confusion triggered by a now-deleted Safaricom social media post.
The clarification came as Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba officially briefed President William Ruto on the outcome of the 2025 KCSE examinations during a meeting held on Friday, January 9.
Speculation had intensified online after telecommunications giant Safaricom suggested that candidates could receive their results instantly by sending their index numbers to a short code—an announcement that KNEC has since branded “misleading.”
Safaricom’s Deleted Tweet Sparks Confusion
In a message shared on X (formerly Twitter) before being removed, Safaricom congratulated the KCSE Class of 2025 and claimed results could be accessed through SMS.
“Hongera KCSE Class of 2025. You did it. To check KCSE results, send your index number to 20076. Each SMS costs 25/-. Well done to you all. KCSE results mara hiyo hiyo,” the post read.
The tweet quickly circulated among anxious candidates and parents, many of whom rushed to try the service before it was taken down.
KNEC Issues Firm Denial
However, a senior KNEC official, speaking to TUKO.co.ke, moved swiftly to shut down the claims, insisting that no SMS-based system exists for checking the 2025 KCSE results.
“That tweet is misleading. There is no SMS for getting the exam results. Candidates can only access their results through the link announced by the Cabinet Secretary,” the official stated.
KNEC further clarified that it had not authorised any telecom provider to offer SMS-based result-checking services for the 2025 examinations.
Official Method of Access Confirmed
Education CS Julius Ogamba confirmed that all individual KCSE results will only be accessible online via the official KNEC portal.
According to Ogamba, candidates are required to log in using their index number and one registered name as captured during the 2025 KCSE registration process.
“Individual candidates will be able to view their results directly through the official KNEC platform at results.knec.ac.ke,” the CS announced.
The government has urged candidates and parents to ignore unofficial links and third-party claims, warning that such platforms could expose users to fraud or misinformation.
KCSE 2025: Candidate Numbers and Examination Details
Meanwhile, KNEC Chief Executive Officer David Njengere provided detailed statistics on the scale of the 2025 KCSE examinations.
According to Njengere, a total of 993,226 candidates sat the exams across 10,765 secondary schools nationwide.
“Out of these, 492,019 were male, while 501,214 were female candidates,” Njengere said.
Candidates were examined in 30 subjects, covering 74 examination papers. To facilitate smooth logistics and security, KNEC utilised 633 distribution centres—commonly referred to as containers—installed across the country for the daily dispatch of examination materials.
Focus Turns to University Qualification Cut-Off
As results access becomes clearer, attention is now shifting to how many candidates scored C+ and above, the minimum grade required for admission into Kenyan universities.
KNEC is expected to release a detailed performance analysis outlining national trends, subject performance, and qualification thresholds in the coming days.
For now, authorities are urging calm as candidates follow the official and verified process for accessing their results.
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2025 KCSE Exam Results: KNEC Shuts Down Claims Exams Can Be Accessed by SMS