Nairobi, Kenya — The Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) will begin issuing electronic Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) certificates with an online verification system for certificates issued from 2023 onwards, the Ministry of Education has announced.
The announcement was made on February, 13, 2026, in South C, Nairobi, by Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba during the launch of the 2026 national examinations registration season.
The system aims to modernise the way KCSE certificates are issued and verified, aligning Kenya’s education credentialing with global digital transformation standards.
What’s New?
Under the new system:
- Electronic certificates (e‑certificates) will be issued to candidates who sat for the KCSE examinations from 2023 onwards.
- A secure online verification platform will allow employers, universities, institutions and other stakeholders to confirm the authenticity of certificates quickly and reliably.
- The rollout is designed to boost data security, reduce fraud risks, cut down operational costs, and improve access to certificates for students and institutions.
Pilot Phase and Implementation
KNEC plans to pilot the e‑certificate and online verification system at the end of February 2026, giving technicians and officials a chance to test and fine‑tune functionality before full national implementation.
The exam body clarified that the introduction of e‑certificates does not replace physical copies — students will still need to retain their original paper certificates for official use.
The government is introducing electronic certificate verification for KCSE exams to prevent forgery, ensuring only those who legitimately sat the exams can obtain valid certificates, as announced during this year’s national exam registration. #WeekendPrime @dennisaseto
Why This Matters
Education officials say the digital system will strengthen the integrity of academic credentials in Kenya, making it harder for fraudsters to fabricate or alter certificates — an issue that has been a recurring challenge for the sector.
Online verification will provide a reliable platform for validation without requiring stakeholders to physically handle paper certificates, while also helping employers, universities, and foreign credential evaluators confirm authenticity efficiently.
KNEC already operates the Query Management Information System (QMIS), which allows candidates and the public to access various examination services, including result checking and certification requests.
KNEC continues to emphasise the importance of the education system’s security, urging the public to remain vigilant against scams and fraudulent grade‑fixing offers that have circulated online in recent months.
