The Kenya National Examinations Council (Knec) is charged with the responsibility of administering various Examinations in the Country. KNEC was established under KNEC Cap 225A following breakup of the East African Community. The single system of education, the 7-4-2-3 was examined.
Exams offered were East African Certificate of Primary Education (EACPE) East African Certificate of Education Examination (EACE) East African Advanced Certificate of Education (EAACE).
The Council performs the following important functions:
Develop examination policies, procedures and regulations
Develop national examinations
Register candidates for the KNEC examinations
Conduct examinations and process the results
Award certificates and diplomas to successful candidates
Conduct research on educational assessment
Carry out equation of certificates and diplomas issued by other credible examining boards
Conduct examinations on behalf of foreign examination boards
Advise the Government on matters pertaining to examinations and certification.
Mandate of Knec
The mandate of KNEC is outlined in Section 10 of KNEC Act No. 29 of 2012 as to:
Set and maintain examinations standards
Conduct public academic, technical and other national examinations within Kenya at basic and tertiary levels
Award certificates or diplomas to candidates in such examinations. (Such certificates or diplomas, shall not be withheld from the candidate by any person or institution)
Confirm authenticity of certificates or diplomas issued by the Council upon request by the government, public institutions, learning institutions, employers and other interested parties Undertake research on educational assessment
Advice any public institution on the development and use of any system or assessment when requested to do so, and in accordance with such terms and conditions as shall be mutually agreed between the Council and the public institutions
Promote the international recognition of qualifications conferred by the Council
Advice the Government on any policy decision that is relevant to, or has implications on the functions of the Council or the administration of examinations in Kenya
Do anything incidental or conducive to the performance of the preceding functions.
Dr. Mercy G. Karogo- Knec CEODr. Julius Jwan- PS Basic EducationColonel (Ret) Leonard Owambo- Council MemberDr. Fred Ochogo Sporta- Council MemberMs. Rosemary C. Saina- Council MemberProf. Eric Okoth Ogur- Council MemberMartin Osang’iri Okiyo- Council MemberTSC Boss Nancy Macharia- Council Member.Prof. Charles O. Ong’ondo- Council Member
Appointment and qualifications of the Knec Council Chairperson
The Chairperson is appointed by the President. For you to be appointed to be the Council Chairperson;
You must hold at least a masters degree from a recognized university,
Have at least fifteen years experience in a senior position in the public service or as a practitioner in a relevant profession or industry; and
Satisfy the requirements of Chapter Six of the Constitution.
Qualifications of Council members
To be appointed as a member of the Council, other than an ex officio member, a person shall:
possess at least a first degree from a recognised university;
ave at least ten years experience in a senior position in the public service or as a practitioner in a relevant profession or industry; and
satisfy the requirements of Chapter Six of the Constitution.
Term of Office of Chairperson and members
Just like any other public office in Kenya, the tenure for Knec Council members is anchored in the Constitution. According to the Constitution, the Chairperson and the appointed members of the Council shall serve for a term of four years, and shall be eligible for re-appointment for one further term.
Functions of the Knec Council
The Council carries out the following roles:
set and maintain examination standards, conduct public academic, technical and other national examinations within Kenya at basic and tertiary levels;
award certificates or diplomas to candidates in such examinations; such certificates or diplomas, shall not be withheld from the candidate by any person or institution;
confirm authenticity of certificates or diplomas issued by the Council upon request by the government, public institutions, learning institutions, employers and other interested parties;
issue replacement certificates or diplomas to candidates or diplomas to candidates in such examinations upon acceptable proof of loss of the original;
undertake research on educational assessment;
promote the international recognition of qualifications conferred by the Council;
advise the Government on any policy decision that is relevant to, or has implications on, the functions of the Council or the administration of examinations in Kenya;
advise any public institution on the development and use of any system of assessment when requested to do so, and in accordance with such terms and conditions as shall be mutually agreed between the Council and the public institution;
do anything incidental or conducive to the performance of any of the preceding functions.
