The Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) has announced the dispatch of certificates for the 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 distributed through Sub-County Directors of Education across the country.
“Candidates are advised to liaise with the schools where they sat the examinations to collect the certificates,” the council stated.
KNEC further warned that it is illegal for any school to withhold a candidate’s certificate, urging students facing such challenges to report to the Sub-County Directors of Education for assistance.
This follows a directive issued by Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba on March 24, 2025, cautioning school principals against withholding certificates for any reason, including unpaid school fees or lost property.
“Holding a student's certificate when they have completed school, whether due to fees balances, lost books, or broken property, is illegal," Ogamba said.
He issued a 14-day ultimatum for all withheld certificates to be released, emphasizing that schools must seek alternative methods to recover any outstanding dues.