KNEC 'sorry' as SMS results system delays

The Kenya National Examination Council (KNEC) has apologised for delays in accessing the just-released 2023 Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) results.

This comes hours after Kenyans lodged several complaints noting delays in receiving the results via the short SMS code, 40054. 

But KNEC has now acknowledged the delay and says it is working to restore the system. 

Unlike before when one would get instant feedback after sharing the candidates’ details, those who requested the results were notified that the service is currently unavailable.

“The KCPE 2023 results are not available. Kindly try again later after the announcement,” reads a text from telecommunications giant, Safaricom.

A majority of people have expressed their frustrations on X saying the delays are causing tension and anxiety on the candidates who are waiting with bated breath, while also losing money to the SMS short code, which is costing Sh25 per request.

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An X user, Edgar Wabwire said: “It’s been 30 minutes after Education CS Ezekiel Machogu released KCPE results and the SMS Code for candidates to get their results is not working. No candidate up to this time has gotten their KCPE results by sending their index number to SMS number 40054.”

“KCPE short code 40054 is not responding one hour after the release by CS Machogu. Someone is "sleeping" in the office! Why release KCPE results and take too long to activate the code?” posed Felix Njika.

The Standard learnt that teachers have alternatively resorted to visiting the KNEC portal to access the results.

Another netizen, Abdina Elmi expressed similar concerns saying: “What a letdown to students, parents, and other stakeholders who have been waiting for their results and have not been made accessible a whole hour after the official release of the results.”

However, some candidates have started receiving their results.

In Mombasa County, Light Academy Primary School candidate Khadija Yunis Ahamed scored 426 marks while Blessing Waceke of Radiance Academy in Nakuru scored 420 out of 500 marks.

Others who have received their results include Stephen Walel Simiyu of Lugulu Boarding Primary School in Bungoma County who scored 401 marks, Lucy Chacha of Momokoro Academy in Migori County with 405 marks, and Arnold Njuguna Nyaga of Kibutha Boarding Primary School in Muranga County who got 408 marks.