Uproar after Knec says it doesn’t replace lost certificates
An outcry has followed the Kenya National Examination Council’s clarification that it does not replace lost certificates, with many Kenyans urging the council to rethink this policy.
They argued that individuals who have misplaced their academic certificates encounter considerable difficulties, especially when seeking jobs where tangible evidence of their academic qualifications is crucial.
On July 29, Knec issued a statement clarifying that it does not provide duplicates of lost certificates.
“Instead, we provide a certification letter to those who have lost their certificates. This letter is legally valid and can substitute the lost certificate,” the council explained.
The national examiner detailed the application process for obtaining a certification letter, which involves a Sh5,220 application fee.
The initial step is to register on the council’s website at https://qmis.knec.ac.ke, followed by logging in with credentials sent via email.
“Enter the index number, exam type, and year, then click FIND,” Knec instructed.
Applicants must also include a copy of the lost certificate or result slip, a national ID, a police abstract, a passport-sized photo, and confirmation from the Registrar of Persons when applying.
Many Kenyans felt that Knec’s requirements imposed unnecessary bureaucracy, questioning the rationale behind the Sh5,220 fee.
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They pointed out that some individuals lost their certificates due to unexpected disasters like floods or fires and did not have photocopies.
“Why do you need someone to provide a copy of the document they no longer have?” questioned one Kenyan.
“Unfortunately, I couldn’t replace mine because our house burned down some time ago. I’ve tried to get a copy from my former schools but to no avail. I only have the index number from my primary school. Knec should show some empathy,” another person added.
Several Kenyans highlighted that more sensitive documents, such as national IDs and passports, can be replaced, so it seems illogical that the same cannot be done for lost or damaged academic certificates.
They argued that with today’s technology, Knec should not use the excuse of fraud concerns to deny the replacement of these important documents.
“If passports can be replaced, surely certificates should be too. It’s time to move past outdated regulations,” said one Kenyan.
“If an ID is presented, why refer them to the Registrar of Persons? Why not automate the printing of duplicate certificates? The complex procedures applicants face are outdated in the modern era,” another individual commented.
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A proposal was made to have Knec automate the certificate replacement process by uploading results to eCitizen, allowing people to print their certificates as needed.
“Just as we can easily download our KRA PIN certificates on iTax, why is this process so complicated in a digital age?” one person inquired.
There were also concerns about the requirement for applicants to provide their index numbers, with some questioning “What if you don’t remember the index number and your former school doesn’t have the records?”
“There should be more public awareness about this. This is an injustice to citizens. We need duplicate certificates, not just letters,” one Kenyan emphasized.
In its announcement, Knec stated it has automated the process for handling examination-related queries, meaning applicants no longer need to visit their offices in person unless to collect documents after their queries are resolved.
The Council noted that after submitting all required documents, applicants would receive a confirmation SMS, then need to log in again to pay the Sh5,220 fee and await application processing.
Applicants are advised to regularly check the system for updates on their application status.
“Once the process is complete, you will receive an SMS notification to pick up your certification letter from Knec offices,” the Council concluded.
Uproar after Knec says it doesn’t replace lost certificates
