NAIROBI, Kenya- If you’ve been trying to check your KCSE results via SMS, you might have fallen for a scam.
The Kenya National Examination Council (KNEC) has flagged a misleading notice circulating online, falsely claiming that students can access their results by sending an SMS to 20076. Spoiler alert: That’s fake.
No More SMS—Only Online Access
During the official 2024 KCSE results release, Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba made it clear—results can only be accessed via KNEC’s official portal. Unlike previous years, there is no SMS option this time around.
But here’s the twist: despite eliminating the SMS service to improve efficiency, KNEC’s online system struggled under pressure, leaving thousands of students frustrated as the portal crashed due to over 300,000 hits per second.
KNEC Website Crashed: KNEC website crashed after release of KCSE resultsAnxiety gripped parents, candidates and schoolsAslat: We have not received all the resultsKNEC attributes system failure to overload#CitizenTonight @OBurrows
“The minor delays in receiving feedback are due to the high number of requests being sent to the portal,” KNEC explained in a statement, urging users to be patient.
Why KNEC Ditched the SMS System
Remember the 2023 KCSE results chaos? Back then, Education CS Ezekiel Machogu defended the removal of the SMS service, citing system inefficiencies and frequent breakdowns.
“We have engaged engineers to make sure the system works perfectly, unlike the other time we witnessed issues with the SMS code,” Machogu assured Kenyans.
However, this shift has left many students stranded. With the portal crashing and no alternative method to access results, many have turned to misleading information online, making them vulnerable to scams.
What’s Next?
For now, KNEC is urging patience as tech teams work to stabilize the system. If you’re waiting for your results, avoid fake SMS numbers, stick to the official KNEC portal, and brace yourself for some delays.
GUIDELINE: ACCESS TO 2024 KCSE EXAM RESULTS #KCSE2024
As the dust settles, one big question remains: Should KNEC reinstate the SMS system for easier access?
