For the second consecutive year, more girls than boys sat for the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) exams. This trend highlights shifts in student participation in the national examination. However, in several counties, boys still outnumbered girls.
For the second year running, the number of girls participating in the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) exams surpassed that of boys, according to a report by Taifa Leo. This development points to progress in gender parity within Kenya's secondary education.
The report indicates that while girls dominated in many areas, boys formed the majority in several counties, such as Busia and Tharaka Nithi, where they accounted for 66.24% compared to 33.76% for girls. Other counties with higher boy participation include Elgeyo Marakwet, Garissa, Homa Bay, Isiolo, Kakamega, Kiambu, Kisumu, Kitui, Kwale, Machakos, and Mandera, with boys at 65.09% versus 34.91% for girls.
Additional counties are Meru, Mombasa, Nairobi, Nyamira, and West Pokot. Furthermore, Turkana recorded 57.67% boys against 42.33% girls, Narok 53.10% versus 46.90%, along with Samburu, Uasin Gishu, Vihiga, and Wajir at 60.10% boys to 39.90% girls.
This data underscores the need to address gender disparities across regions to ensure equal participation. However, specific reasons for these variations were not detailed in the report.