NAIROBI, Kenya- For the first time in history, the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) will print national examination papers locally, ending more than four decades of outsourcing the process to overseas firms, primarily in the United Kingdom.
Basic Education Principal Secretary, Prof. Julius Bitok, told the National Assembly’s Education Committee that the 2026/27 budget has allocated Sh147 million to acquire equipment for the local production of secure exam materials, including optical mark recognition forms.
The move comes amid concerns over the high costs and logistical challenges of printing and transporting sensitive exams abroad.
Historically, papers for the Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) and Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) were produced overseas under tight security, a practice now considered financially burdensome.
Officials say local printing will reduce costs and reliance on foreign providers, though stringent security measures will be put in place to protect exam integrity.
The shift is seen as a major step in strengthening local capacity and making the administration of national exams more efficient and cost-effective.
