NAIROBI, Kenya – The Kenya National Examination Council (KNEC) has announced the dispatch of examination certificates for 2023 Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) and Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) candidates.
In a statement posted on X, KNEC confirmed that the certificates have been sent to Sub-County Director of Education offices across the country.
Candidates are advised to collect their certificates from the schools where they sat for their examinations.
KNEC further reminded schools that it is illegal to withhold candidates’ certificates for any reason.
“Any candidate whose certificate is withheld should report to the Sub-County Director of Education,” the council emphasized.
The announcement comes on the heels of an earlier directive by Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba, who in March warned school heads against the unlawful practice of detaining certificates over unpaid fees or other claims.
“Holding a student’s certificate on the basis of unpaid fees, lost books, or property damage is illegal,” Ogamba stated.
He noted that some certificates had been held for over a decade and ordered their immediate release within 14 days.
The CS stressed that schools must find alternative legal methods to recover outstanding dues without infringing on students’ rights.
He also revealed that the Ministry of Education is considering transferring the custody of certificates from schools to education offices to prevent future disputes.
Ogamba reassured students and parents that the ministry will closely monitor compliance to ensure that all graduates can access their certificates without conditions, supporting their efforts to pursue further education and employment opportunities.
