The Kenya National Examination Council (KNEC) has launched a digital platform that will be used to verify the authenticity of academic certificates.
In a statement dated Friday, July 4, Education Principal Secretary Julius Bitok expressed that the platform was necessary as the government seeks to weed out the use of fake certificates.
He added that the platform is already being used by the Public Service Commission (PSC).
According to the PS, the system will be used when the government is recruiting employees to join the public service.
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"The platform, which is currently being piloted in collaboration with the Public Service Commission, marks a major step forward in the fight against fake academic papers. It provides a fast, secure, and reliable way to authenticate certificates issued by KNEC," read the statement in part.
"This innovation will enhance transparency and credibility in recruitment processes, especially within the public service, and ensure that only genuine qualifications are recognised."
Fake certificates within the public service have been an issue, with many Kenyans being taken to court and charged for using forged academic papers.
In its annual report covering the 2023/2024 financial year, PSC revealed that 449 government employees were fired after being found with fake certificates.
181 other employees resigned after they were discovered to have used fake certificates to get government jobs.
"Out of 150 institutions that did not authenticate their certificates, 100 (67%) committed to authenticating by 30th June 2025, 32 (21%) said they would authenticate by 31st March 2025 while 18 (12%) did not provide a timeline," read part of the report released in January.
"Out of 1,019 officers found with fake certificates, action was taken on 744 (73%) officers. 79 (7.8%) officers were still undergoing investigation, and no action was taken on 15 (1.5%). The status of action taken on 181 (17.8%) officers was not indicated."
