NAIROBI, Kenya — The Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) has rolled out a new electronic certificate platform that allows candidates who sat the 2025 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examination to access and download official digital copies of their certificates online.
In a notice issued on Wednesday, August 5, KNEC said the service is also available to candidates whose examination records are contained in its database from 1989 to 2025, significantly expanding access to academic credentials for thousands of former students.
The move marks a major step in the government’s digital transformation agenda by allowing candidates to retrieve certified examination documents without visiting KNEC offices.
According to the examinations council, the electronic certificates are legally valid and can be used for university admissions, Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) applications, scholarships, bursaries, employment, internships and international academic admissions.
“The e-certificate is issued directly by KNEC, is legally valid and officially recognised. It is instantly verifiable by any organisation, never expires and is secured using blockchain technology,” the council said.
How candidates can access the certificate
Candidates seeking to obtain their digital certificate must first create an account on the KNEC e-Certificate portal before verifying their email address using a one-time password (OTP).
Applicants are then required to verify their identity using their national identity card details before entering their KCSE index number, examination year and examination type to preview their certificate.
Once they confirm that the displayed information—including their name, school and final grade—is accurate, candidates must pay a fee of KSh1,500 through the eCitizen platform.
After successful payment, the certificate becomes available for download, is automatically emailed to the applicant and remains accessible through the user’s online dashboard.
Relief for candidates who lost certificates
The platform is expected to provide significant relief to candidates who misplaced or lost their KCSE or Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) certificates by reducing the need to apply for physical replacements or travel to KNEC offices.
The council said the system enables candidates to securely store, retrieve and share their academic credentials whenever required while allowing institutions and employers to verify certificates instantly.
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Education stakeholders have long called for easier access to examination records, with many job seekers and students previously experiencing lengthy delays when replacing lost certificates.
The introduction of blockchain-secured digital certificates is also expected to strengthen the integrity of Kenya’s examination records by reducing the risk of document fraud while simplifying verification by universities, employers and government institutions.
The rollout forms part of broader government efforts to digitise public services and improve efficiency, accessibility and convenience for citizens through online platforms.
