KNEC to Roll Out KCSE e-Certificates and Online Verification Backdated to 2023
The Ministry of Education has announced that the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) will introduce electronic KCSE certificates and an online verification system starting with candidates who sat exams from 2023.
Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba unveiled the plan on Friday at KNEC offices in South C. He said the move will modernise exam administration, reduce operational costs, and align Kenya’s education sector with global digital standards.
Ogamba noted that the e-certificates will be secure, efficient, and environmentally sustainable. He added that the system will improve accessibility while strengthening data protection. KNEC plans to pilot the programme by the end of February before rolling it out nationwide.
The council clarified that digital certificates will not replace physical copies. Candidates must still retain their paper certificates for official use, including job applications. More details will be shared during the pilot launch.
KNEC will also enhance its online verification service to allow employers, universities, and other institutions to confirm certificate authenticity. The move aims to reduce fraud and strengthen trust in Kenya’s academic credentials locally and internationally.
If the pilot succeeds, KNEC may later extend the e-certificate system to cover certificates issued before 2023.
