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According to the EACC, preliminary investigations established that Mwiti, one of the officials, allegedly used the certificate to secure employment at the county assembly and subsequently acquired public property through salaries paid during his employment
According to the ODPP, the court heard that Nyabuti used a forged Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) certificate showing a mean grade of C- to secure employment at the state-owned power company.
The difference is even clearer when the number of streams is considered. Cluster 1 schools have an average of 8.1 streams per class, compared with 4.7 in Cluster 2, 2.7 in Cluster 3 and 1.8 in Cluster 4.
The ministry said it had directed Regional Directors of Education, County Directors of Education and Sub-County Directors of Education to ensure schools comply with the approved academic calendar.
The 2026 examination cycle comes as the education sector continues to implement reforms under the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC), while KCSE remains in place for secondary school candidates.
The certificates, which cost Sh1,500 and are obtained through the eCitizen payment system, can be used immediately for university admissions, college and TVET applications, scholarships, job applications, internships and other official purposes.
The Kenya National Examinations Council, however, has been allocated only Sh9.9 billion in the current financial year, leaving it with a funding deficit of Sh6.71 billion.
The new e-Certificate verification service is expected to make the verification process quicker while improving confidence in Kenya's examination certificates.
Jalang'o said the transition from secondary school into adult life should involve more than classroom learning, arguing that young people need an environment that teaches resilience, self-discipline and accountability.
Data from the Ministry of Education shows that more than 330 cases of student unrest have been reported since April, among them 95 school fires and dozens of attempted arson incidents. The violence claimed the lives of 18 learners, making the period one of the deadliest school terms in recent years.
Under the new system, candidates are required to register on the e-certificate portal using their full names and email addresses. First-time users must activate their accounts by entering a One-Time Password (OTP) sent to their registered email before accessing the platform.
The funding model, rolled out after President William Ruto took office, is now facing its toughest challenge since its introduction. Official figures show university admissions have grown from about 70,000 students in 2017 to 202,133 placed this year, an increase of more than 300 per cent in less than a decade.