Male candidates dominate 2023 KCPE

"In 2023 the gender parity slightly shifted in favor of the male at 51.30 per cent and female candidates at 48.70 per cent," Machogu said.

The CS noted that when the KCPE exams were first administered in the country 39 years ago, the disparity in educational access between genders was stark.

"The 8-4-4 period has recorded an improvement on achieving gender parity in the education sector, in 1985, the country had a low gender parity favoring the male candidates at 59.2 per cent and female candidates at 40.8 per cent," Machogu said.

This achievement, he said, signifies substantial efforts and initiatives aimed at promoting equal access to education for both genders.

Machogu explained that attainment indicates positive trends in enrollment, retention, and educational opportunities for girls, reducing the gap that existed previously.

In the 2023 KCPE examination, out of the 1,406,557 candidates who sat the examination, 685,017 were female representing 48.70 per cent.

Another 721,544 were male representing 51.30 per cent.

Some 10 counties had a significant entry of more male than female candidates.

They include, Mandera, Garissa, Wajir, Nyamira, Baringo, Turkana, Machakos, Samburu, Makueni and Nandi counties.

Only Isiolo county recorded a significant number of female candidates compared to male candidates.

Out of the 205 candidates who did not register for KCPE but managed to sit for the examinations, 125 were male and 80 were female.