A total of 1.2 million candidates in 28,313 centers sat for 2021 KCPE exam. A gender parity of 50.28 boys 49.72% girls was recorded, basically comparable to last years. During the 2021 examination, 12 counties registered more females than males. These counties include:
- Meru County
- Turkana County
- Tharaka Nithi County
- Mombasa County
- Nairobi County
- Isiolo County
- Uasin Gishu County
- Busia County
- Bungoma County
- Kakamega County
- Siaya County
- Kisumu County
Remember in 2020 there were 20 counties that had more females than males – boy child is pulling up. The number of absent candidates in 2020 KCPE exams decreased. From 12,424 to 11,500.
The number of registered candidates who are below age increased from 26,000 to 33,000. The Counties that had the highest entry for this candidate was quite strange, i.e. according to the Cabinet Secretary-Education. These counties include:
- Baringo County
- Bomet County
- Kericho County
- West Pokot County
- Nyamira County
According to Prof Maghoha that makes sense, but that is the truth.
The highest number of candidates came from the traditional years over about 45%, between 13 and 14 years. Over age, which is 19 years, came from Turkana, Garissa Kilifi, Kwale and Mandera. Again, these Counties, except for Mandera, recorded the same for last year.
Performance per subject
Six papers recorded an improved performance in the year 2021 as compared to 2020, these are English Composition, Kiswahili Lugha, Kiswahili Insha, Kenya Sign Language Composition, Science and Social Studies. Three other papers, mathematics, English Language and Religious Education recorded a drop in performance compared to 2021. Kenya Sign Language recorded a comparable performance between the two years.
In terms of gender performance of male and female candidates was comparable, however, the females always defeat the boys in English and Kiswahili and this trend has been maintained for some time. Male candidates were better in STEM subjects, ie, Kenya Sign Language, Mathematics, Science and Religious Education. Overall performance of the candidates.
Overall performance of the candidates
In 2021 KCPE examination, overall performance improved compared to 2020, although the highest mark dropped from 433 to 428. The mean average performance and quality of grades for all candidates is higher, for example, whereas, 8091 candidates, which is 0.68% scored between 400 and 500, compared to 2020, the number increased to 11,857 which is 0.97% in 2021. This is an indicator that most candidates scored better scores than the previous year.
The summary of the grades is as follows:
- 400 to 500 was scored by 11,857 students
- 300 to 399 was scored by 315,275 students
- 200 to 299 was scored by 578,197 students
Top 10 Candidates in 2021 KCPE Examination
The mark bridge between the the top 10 candidates was only three points. The total number of these candidates was 14. The 14 had made the top 10.
| POSITION | NAME | SCHOOL | MARKS |
| 1 | Magata Bruce Mackenzie | Gilgil Hills Academy | 428 |
| 2 | Momanyi Ashley Kerubo | Makini School | 427 |
| 3 | Kuoma Charity Buyanzi | Holy Family Isihu Girls Primary School | 426 |
| 3 | Mbugua Sharon Wairimu Muteti | Emmanuel Academy | 426 |
| 3 | Muteti Shantel Ndida | Kitengela International School | 426 |
| 3 | Stanley Otieno Omondi | Rofin Field Junior School | 426 |
| 3 | Wekesa Naomi | White Star Academy | 426 |
| 3 | Kimani Ethan Karuga | Stepping Stone Preparatory School | 426 |
| 4 | Njeru Joel Junior Musyoka | Nyangwa Primary School | 425 |
| 4 | Kiriinya Muriuki Victor | PCEA Mwimbi Boarding Primary School | 425 |
| 4 | Diana Rose Natolo | Facebeth Academy | 425 |
| 4 | Kaberia Emmanuel Munene | New Bambin | 425 |
| 4 | Emmanuel Kiplagat Ngetich | Moi Primary School Kabarak | 425 |
| 4 | George Morris Otieno | Hill School | 425 |
For candidates with special needs had two in between 400 to 500 but they have improved between 300 and 399, and they have up to 337 of them compared to last year.
Top candidates with special needs
| Position | Name | School | Marks |
| 1 | Bethany Tatilla Migosi | Thorngrove Academy | 417 |
| 2 | Grace Nema Katana | Havila Academy- Mutwapa Primary School | |
| 3 | Kamau Jackson Ndegwa | Muthiria School | 401 |
| 4 | Musyoka Kings Kelvin | Kathwonzweni AIC | 401 |
| 5 | Migosi Dominic | Mau Narok | 401 |
| 6 | Maina Leighton Njagi | Ol Kalau School for the Disabled | 399 |
| 7 | Otieno Barrack Onyango | St. Cecelia Olare | |
| 8 | Mochofi Mkawaindi | De Paul Catholic School- Kamulu | |
| 9 | Philip Karani | Likoni School for the Blind | |
| 10 | Dorcas Cherono | St. Sophia Kapchepoken | 396 |
The number of candidates who sat examination under special circumstances, including those who sat examination in hospitals, decreased from 1240 to 1067.
The most improved public schools, whose candidature was greater than 50
| Region | School | Improvement |
| Coast | Kambi ya Waya | From 203 to 266 marks |
| Central | Njenga Karume Primary School | From 207 to 248 marks |
| Eastern | Ngukuini Primary School | From 165 to 250 marks |
| Nairobi | Cheleta School | From 213 to 263 marks |
| Rift Valley | Lenkishon Primary School | From 198 to 272 marks |
| Western | Kewa DEB | From 216 to 284 marks |
| Nyanza | Nyagiti School | From 170 to 232 marks |
| North Eastern | Mandera DEB | From 180 to 270 marks |
Accessing 2021 KCPE Examination
Individual candidate’s results can be assessed by sending a candidate index number followed by initials KCPE through SMS to 20076
It is the tradition that the KCPE examination results are collected by respective schools from the sub-county education offices. A candidate can then collect his or her results from their respective examination centers.
The head teachers will be required to download and print the online result slips for candidates in their schools and authenticate the same before they release them to their parents and guardians.
Message from the Cabinet Secretary to the Head Teachers
The head teachers, both public and private are required to give the candidates their results. Every child should get his results then deal with the parent later on matters of school fees.
Exam cheating
There were 320 candidates who are attempting to collude in seven examination centers. There will be a price to pay by each of those 320 candidates. The exam administrators in those seven centers are going to be severely admonished.
