KCSE 2025: Boys Lead in STEM, Girls Outnumber Boys for Second Year

It’s the second year in a row that girls have outnumbered boys in Kenya’s national secondary exams, but when it comes to science and math, the old patterns are holding tight. Julius Ogamba, Cabinet Secretary for Education at the Ministry of Education, unveiled the 2025 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) results on Friday, January 9, 2026. The release took place at AIC Chebisas Boys High School in Eldoret, where officials confirmed a complex picture of academic achievement.

Here’s the twist: while female candidates made up 50.46% of the 993,226 total examinees, male students posted higher mean scores in 11 subjects. These included heavy hitters like Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, and Business Studies. Meanwhile, girls dominated in six key areas, primarily languages and creative arts. It’s a story not just of who is taking the test, but what they are choosing—and mastering.

The Numbers Behind the Headlines

Let’s look at the raw data first. Out of nearly one million candidates, 501,214 were female compared to 492,012 males. This isn’t a fluke; it marks the second consecutive year since the inception of these examinations that women have held the numerical majority. Broadcasters like KTN News highlighted this shift, noting that young women are now leading in enrollment numbers nationally.

But enrollment doesn’t always equal subject dominance. When broken down by performance:

• Male-led subjects (11): Mathematics (Alternatives A & B), Biology (including for the Blind), Chemistry, General Science, History & Government, Geography, Islamic Religious Education (IRE), Building & Construction, and Business Studies.
• Female-led subjects (6): English, Kiswahili, Kenyan Sign Language, Home Science, Christian Religious Education (CRE), and Art & Design.
• Comparable performance (7): Physics, Agriculture, Computer Studies, French, German, Arabic, and Music.

Interestingly, five technical subjects—Metalwork, Power Mechanics, Electricity, Drawing & Design, and Aviation Technology—had too few female candidates to allow for meaningful statistical comparison. This points to a deeper issue: choice, not just ability.

Persistent Gaps in STEM and Technical Fields

The most striking takeaway? Boys continue to hold ground in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM). Analysis from outlets like EducationNews.co.ke described this as “continued male dominance in STEM and technical disciplines.” Even in subjects like History & Government and Geography, where one might expect parity, boys edged out girls in mean scores.

Why does this matter? Because these subjects often gatekeep access to high-paying careers in engineering, medicine, and finance. If girls aren’t entering these streams—or if they’re underperforming relative to their peers—they may face barriers later in life. The fact that female enrollment was statistically insignificant in fields like Aviation Technology suggests societal or systemic pressures still steer girls away from technical vocations.

Where Girls Are Shining

On the flip side, let’s give credit where it’s due. Female candidates didn’t just show up; they excelled. They posted stronger mean scores in all major language subjects: English and Kiswahili. They also led in Kenyan Sign Language, Home Science, CRE, and Art & Design. This aligns with global trends where women often outperform men in literacy-based assessments.

CS Ogamba noted during the ceremony that girls “posted stronger mean score performances in several key subjects,” emphasizing their academic resilience. For parents and educators watching closely, this reinforces the idea that girls are highly capable competitors—they just need support in bridging the gap in sciences and technical skills.

Historical Context: A Shift in Landscape?

To understand 2025, you have to look back at 2024. Last year, boys led in 23 subjects, including Physics and Chemistry, while girls dominated seven. The narrowing of that gap—from 23 vs. 7 to 11 vs. 6—is significant. Seven subjects now show comparable performance between genders, including Physics and Computer Studies. That’s progress.

However, the core divide remains. In 2024, 17 subjects saw improved performance overall, but the gender split persisted. This year, despite more girls sitting for the exam, the structural preference for boys in math-heavy subjects hasn’t shifted dramatically. It’s a slow evolution, not a revolution.

What Experts Are Saying

Educators point out that self-selection plays a huge role. Many girls opt out of Math Alternatives B or technical drawing due to peer pressure or lack of mentorship. One teacher in Nairobi told reporters, “We see brilliant girls in class, but when it comes to career counseling, they’re steered toward humanities because it’s ‘safer.’”

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Education has yet to announce specific interventions aimed at closing the STEM gap. Without targeted programs—like scholarships for girls in science or early-stage encouragement—the trend is likely to continue. As AllAfrica reported, this is part of a “growing trend of girls excelling academically,” but excellence in languages doesn’t automatically translate to equity in opportunity.

What’s Next for Kenyan Education?

Looking ahead, stakeholders will be watching how schools respond. Will there be increased pushback against gender stereotyping in subject selection? Will universities adjust admission criteria to encourage diversity in STEM faculties? Only time will tell.

For now, the message is clear: Girls are coming in greater numbers and performing exceptionally well in many areas. But until we see balanced participation and performance in science and technical fields, the conversation about educational equity in Kenya remains unfinished.