The Ministry of Education (MoE) has issued a firm directive requiring all staff under the State Department for Technical, Vocational Education and Training (TVET) to authenticate their academic and professional certificates.
This follows growing concerns over the use of fake academic documents among employees in the public service.
In a circular addressed to principals of National Polytechnics, Technical Training Institutes, and Technical and Vocational Colleges, Principal Secretary Dr. Esther Thaara Muoria directed that all officers, irrespective of their date of employment, must have their certificates verified by the relevant examination and accrediting bodies.
The directive is in line with a Public Service Commission (PSC) circular that highlighted the discovery of numerous fraudulent certificates submitted by public officers during recruitment and promotion exercises.
The PSC noted that some employees had used falsified credentials from both local and foreign institutions, undermining the integrity of Kenya’s education system and the public service at large.
READ ALSO:
“The Commission has noted that a significant number of employees were employed using fraudulent academic and professional certificates. This has necessitated that all academic and professional certificates for all officers in the Public Service must be authenticated and a report submitted to the Commission,” read part of the circular signed by Dr. Muoria.
All officers and trainers are required to authenticate their Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE), Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE), and Diploma certificates acquired from the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) by October 18, 2025 through the KNEC online portal.
For university and other tertiary qualifications, the verification will be done through respective examining institutions and submitted confidentially to authorized officers.
Dr. Muoria assured institutions that KNEC will continue offering a discounted validation rate for certificates issued under its jurisdiction to expedite the process.
She also instructed principals to provide full administrative support to their staff to ensure compliance within the set deadline.
Failure to adhere to the directive, the circular warns, may result in administrative action as stipulated under the Public Service Commission Regulations.
By Philip Koech
You can also follow our social media pages on Twitter: Education News KE and Facebook: Education News Newspaper for timely updates.
>>> Click here to stay up-to-date with trending regional stories
>>> Click here to read more informed opinions on the country’s education landscape
