Kenya’s KCPE and KCSE Certificate Collection Shift: What It Means for Students and Education Policy
In a groundbreaking move aimed at promoting educational equity and transparency, Kenya’s Ministry of Education has announced that, starting next year, all KCPE and KCSE certificates will be collected from sub-county education offices, not from schools. This policy, which directly addresses years of controversy over school heads withholding exam certificates over unpaid school fees, promises to redefine access to academic credentials for thousands of Kenyan students.
The Old System: Certificates Withheld Over Unpaid Fees
Until now, thousands of students have faced a harsh reality: the school principal retained their certificates as collateral for outstanding fees. This practice left many unable to pursue higher education or join the formal job market.
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MPs and advocacy groups have repeatedly highlighted the scale of the problem, citing over KSh 20 billion owed in school fees nationwide.
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Young Kenyans are locked out of jobs or colleges, forced to settle for informal or low-wage work due to lack of documentation.
The New Policy Explained
According to a March 2025 statement by Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba:
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KCPE and KCSE certificates will only be available at designated sub-county education offices.
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Principals’ power to withhold certificates over unpaid fees is removed.
This response follows mounting pressure from Parliament and parents, who insisted on a permanent solution after repeated government directives failed to solve the issue.
Why the Change?
Government and education committee posts show several reasons for the new approach:
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End a persistent barrier: The certificates belong to students; withholding them violates the Basic Education Act and denies individuals fair access to further opportunities.
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Direct government oversight: By shifting the distribution responsibility to sub-county offices, the Ministry of Education can more effectively enforce access, track certificate issuance, and resolve disputes.
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Equity for all candidates: As the 8-4-4 system is phased out over the next three cohorts, this change guarantees access while further debate continues on CBC (Competency-Based Curriculum) students.
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