In a bold and unprecedented move, the Kenyan government has declared war on a deeply entrenched practice in the education system — the unlawful withholding of national examination certificates by school principals over unpaid fees. Government Spokesperson Isaac Mwaura, speaking on Monday, April 14, delivered a stern warning that has sent ripples through the education sector.
Mwaura stated in no uncertain terms that school heads who continue to hold onto students’ certificates in a bid to recover fees will face serious disciplinary and legal consequences. According to him, this practice is not only illegal but a blatant violation of students’ rights.
“The government will not tolerate this continued impunity,” he said, emphasizing that the Ministry of Education is taking immediate steps to identify and act against defiant institutions.
The directive comes with strict instructions for county directors of education across the country: submit a comprehensive report on all uncollected academic certificates in your jurisdiction within 14 days. This bold step is expected to unearth the scale of the issue and pave the way for targeted interventions.
Mwaura emphasized that a national examination certificate is the legal property of the student — not the school — and as such, no institution has the right to withhold it for any reason.
“Denying students access to their academic credentials undermines the very foundation of our education system,” he declared. “It compromises not only their future but is also a direct violation of children’s rights as protected by law.”
The crackdown follows closely on the heels of remarks made by Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogomba, who revealed plans to centralize the distribution of Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) certificates.
Speaking on March 17, the CS said the government intends to have certificates collected from Subcounty Education offices instead of individual schools — a move designed to break the cycle of exploitation that has left thousands of young Kenyans in limbo.
Ogomba echoed Mwaura’s sentiments, branding the withholding of certificates as both unethical and unlawful. He warned that schools engaging in this practice will face firm sanctions. “No school has the right to hold onto a student’s future,” he stated.
Just days later, on March 19, the National Assembly Committee on Education raised alarm bells, revealing that a significant number of students unable to access their certificates have been pushed into low-paying, untrained labor. This, they said, is a national tragedy that must be urgently addressed.
As the country transitions from the 8-4-4 system to the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC), only three remaining cohorts of 8-4-4 students are expected to sit for the KCSE exams. The government’s move to protect their academic rights is a strong signal that reform is underway — and that the days of schools holding students hostage over unpaid fees are numbered.
With the clock ticking on the 14-day ultimatum, all eyes are now on education officials and school administrators. Will they comply — or face the full force of the law?
