Kindiki applauds KCSE candidates as Kenya nears end of 8-4-4 era

In a statement released following the announcement of the results, Kindiki particularly applauded the 270,715 candidates who attained the minimum qualifications for university admission.

He also emphasized that the remaining learners will transition into tertiary colleges, vocational training institutions and other skills development pathways, which he noted are equally vital to Kenya’s socio-economic growth.

The Deputy President stressed that examination results should not be viewed as an end in themselves, but as a means to unlocking diverse opportunities for further learning, training and personal development.

He reiterated the government’s commitment to ensuring that no learner is left behind, regardless of their academic pathway.

Kindiki noted that the 2025 KCSE cohort marks a significant milestone as Kenya prepares to phase out the 8-4-4 education system by 2027.

He said the transition to the Competency Based Education and Training (CBET) system is aimed at producing a more adaptive, skilled and innovative workforce capable of driving national development.

According to the Deputy President, while the 8-4-4 system has served the country well for decades, CBET offers a superior alternative that aligns education with practical skills, talent development and the evolving needs of the economy.

He described education as the “software” that will power Kenya’s ambition to join the ranks of first-world economies within a generation.

Kindiki added that the government has, over the past three years, taken deliberate and sustained steps to ensure a smooth transition from 8-4-4 to CBET.

He assured the public that this approach will continue until full implementation is achieved, followed by ongoing refinement to strengthen the system.

As the KCSE era gradually draws to a close, the Deputy President said the 2025 results should be seen not only as a measure of academic achievement, but also as a symbol of Kenya’s broader shift towards a skills-based, future-ready education system.