As Kenya moves further into the digital age, the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) has announced a landmark shift in how academic credentials will be handled. While launching the 2026 registration exercise for KPSEA, KJSEA, and KCSE, Education CS Julius Ogamba revealed that the council is set to pilot an electronic certificate (e-certificate) system.
This move is part of a broader strategy to align Kenya’s education system with global digital standards, ensuring that academic records are secure, accessible, and tamper-proof.
The e-certificate system, which will apply to certificates issued from 2023 onwards, aims to reduce the massive operational costs associated with printing and distributing physical documents. It also addresses the perennial problem of lost or damaged certificates.
“The digital transformation of KNEC is not just about convenience; it is about integrity,” the CS noted. By the end of February 2026, the pilot phase will be in full swing, offering a glimpse into a future where students can access their results via secure online portals instantly.
However, the success of this digital leap depends heavily on the accuracy of the data captured during the current registration window. With deadlines set for March 15 for primary schools and March 31 for secondary and junior schools, KNEC is urging school heads to be meticulous.
Dr. David Njeng’ere, the KNEC CEO, warned that the “garbage in, garbage out” principle applies; if a student’s gender or name is entered incorrectly during registration, it will be immortalized in the digital certificate, leading to significant legal and administrative hurdles for the learner in the future.
