Primary and secondary schools in Kenya are issuing Kenya National Examination Council (KNEC) certificates that were previously withheld due to unpaid school fees. This is after Education Cabinet Secretary (CS) Julius Migos said no school can hold students’ certificates due to financial arrears.
Government Crackdown on Withheld Certificates
On March 17, 2025, CS Migos said withholding certificates is illegal, and asked schools to comply with immediate effect. He instructed county education directors to investigate and submit a report within 14 days to ensure all schools comply.
Many students who completed Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) and Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE have not been able to further their education or get employment due to lack of these documents.
Migos assured the public that the government will ensure all learners are treated equally and not punished for their parents’ financial struggles. He warned school principals and headteachers that non compliance will have severe consequences.
Challenges in Implementation
While this directive is a relief to thousands of students and parents, some school administrators argue that unpaid fees affects operations making it hard to provide resources. Many institutions rely on fee collection to pay salaries, utilities and learning materials.
Despite these challenges, the government has said no student should be denied a certificate, and asked parents and students to report non compliant schools for further action.
Way Forward
The Ministry of Education will monitor schools closely to ensure full compliance. This will benefit many former students who have not been able to further their education or get employment due to lack of official certification.
As schools start issuing these certificates, students and parents are advised to visit their schools and collect their documents without any conditions.