KNEC Launches Digital Platform Allowing KCSE and KCPE Candidates to Download Certificates Online
Thousands of former candidates who sat for Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) and Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) examinations will now be able to access certified digital copies of their certificates online following the launch of a new electronic certificate platform by the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC).
The newly introduced e-Certificate platform allows candidates whose examination records are stored in the KNEC database between 1989 and 2025 to apply for, verify and download digital versions of their certificates without visiting KNEC headquarters or their former schools.
The move marks a major step in the council’s efforts to digitise examination services and simplify access to academic credentials, particularly for Kenyans who have misplaced or damaged their original certificates.
According to KNEC, applicants must first create an account on the e-Certificate portal using a valid email address before completing their personal profile.
Kenyan applicants will then be required to provide their National Identity Card details, which will be automatically verified through the Integrated Population Registration System (IPRS) to confirm their identity.
Once verification is complete, candidates must enter their examination index number, select the examination type—either KCSE or KCPE—and indicate the year they sat for the examination.
Applicants whose records are successfully verified will be prompted to pay a certificate generation fee of KSh1,200, in addition to VAT and applicable eCitizen transaction charges.
After payment is confirmed, the digital certificate becomes immediately available for download in Portable Document Format (PDF).
KNEC said each digital certificate is embedded with a blockchain verification hash, enabling employers, universities and other institutions to instantly confirm its authenticity. The downloaded certificate will remain accessible on the platform for six months after issuance.
“The platform enables candidates to securely access verifiable digital certificates while reducing the need for physical visits to KNEC offices,” the council said in its user guide.
Beyond individual applicants, KNEC has also introduced a dedicated verification portal for organisations including universities, employers, government agencies and professional bodies.
The system enables institutions to verify academic certificates submitted by job applicants or students and also supports bulk verification of up to 1,000 certificates in a single request through CSV file uploads.
The launch is expected to ease long-standing challenges faced by thousands of former candidates who have struggled to replace lost certificates, while also strengthening the integrity of academic document verification through secure digital technology.
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