KCSE: Girls outnumber male candidates in 2024 since start of KCSE exams

Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba, PS Belio Kipsang during the release KCSE results 2024 at Mtihani House.[Kanyiri Wahito, Standard]

For the first time, more female than male candidates sat last year's Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examination.

Out of the 962,512 students who took the Form Four tests, 482,202 were girls while 480,310 were boys, representing 50.1 per cent and 49.9 per cent respectively.

“This is the first time since inception of KCSE examination that female candidates are more than male candidates,” said Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba.

Last year, candidature increased by 64,553 compared to 2023. A total of 962,512 learners sat the examination compared to 899,453 the previous year, representing an increase of 7.19 per cent.

On gender parity, 14 counties had more female than male candidates. Vihiga County led the list with 55. 15 per cent of candidates being girls while in Elgeyo Marakwet and Kirinyaga, female learners were 53.76 per cent and 51.46 per cent respectively.

Others were Meru and Nairobi with 51.69 and 52.78 per cent, Kiambu (52.78 per cent), Kisumu (52.39), Kitui (51.14), Taita Taveta (51.45) and Kwale (53.31).

Isiolo had 52.11 per cent being girls compared to boys at 47.89 per cent, Tharaka Nithi had 52.06 per cent, while Kakamega and Uasin Gishu recorded a female representation of 51.80 and 51.06 per cent

14 counties had more boys led by Garissa county which recorded 62. 8 per cent compared to 37. 1 per cent of female candidates.

Other counties that saw more boys and girls sit the examination include Mandera which had 63.8 per cent against 36.17 per cent, Wajir (60.27 per cent against 39.73 per cent) and Turkana (59.64 per cent male and 40.36 per cent).

In Samburu, 53.41 per cent of the candidates were male while Narok, Homa Bay and West Pokot had 52.77 per cent, 52.81 per cent and 53.52 per cent as boys.

In Mombasa and Migori, girls were also outnumbered, with the counties registering 51.31 per cent and 51.02 per cent male candidature respectively.

Male representation in Embu and Kisii counties was also high standing at 51.09 and 51.03 per cent.

Others are Nyamira with 51.39 per cent male representation and Baringo at 51.67 per cent.