For many 2025 KCSE candidates, the wait for easier access to their examination certificates is over after the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) opened its e-certificate platform to the latest group of candidates, allowing them to download legally recognised digital copies for immediate official use.
The move expands KNEC's digital examination services by enabling candidates who sat the 2025 KCSE examinations to obtain their certificates online without waiting for physical copies. The digital documents cost Sh1,500, payable through the eCitizen platform, and can be used for university admissions, TVET and college applications, scholarships, job applications, internships and other official purposes.
In a public announcement on Thursday, KNEC said: "Every candidate who sat for the 2025 KCSE examination can now access their official e-certificate... a digital copy you can download and use right away."
The examinations council said the digital certificates are "issued directly by KNEC," "legally valid & officially recognised" and "globally valid – W3C compatible," making it possible for institutions and employers in Kenya and abroad to verify them instantly.
Candidates seeking the certificates are required to register on the KNEC e-certificate portal before validating their email address through a one-time password (OTP). They must then verify their identity using their National ID details and provide their KCSE index number, examination year and examination type.
Applicants will also be required to review the certificate details displayed on the platform, including their name as captured in KNEC records, their median grade and their former school before confirming payment through the eCitizen system.
KNEC said that once payment is completed, "your certificate is emailed to you & saved to your dashboard," adding that it "never expires, is legally valid & shareable with any institution, employer or third party."
The council further noted that the certificates are "secured with Avalanche blockchain technology," allowing organisations to verify them instantly while helping reduce cases of document fraud.
Candidates who encounter difficulties during the application process have been advised to download a detailed user guide available on the KNEC e-certificate portal for step-by-step guidance.
With the latest rollout, candidates who sat the 2025 KCSE examinations now join those from previous years who can already access digital versions of their certificates through the online platform.
KNEC introduced the e-certificate platform in July 2026, initially making the service available to candidates who sat KCSE examinations between 1989 and 2024. The council said the platform was developed to modernise certificate management, improve access to academic credentials and strengthen their security and authenticity through digital verification.