A civil rights organization has commenced collection of statements from students whose national examination certificates are being held by schools after completing their education.
Siaya-based Community Initiative Action Group (CIAG) has called upon affected students across the country to reach out and record statements ahead of a planned suit.
The action comes after the Ministry of Education and the teachers Service Commission (TSC) failed to account for uncollected certificates.
CIAG had on 28th September 2024 wrote to Education PS Dr Belio Kipsang seeking for information with regards to schools withholding certificates.
The letter signed by CIAG Chairman Chris Owala relied on provisions of the Access to Information Act, 2016 and Article 35 of the Constitution of Kenya, noting that the information was essential for understanding the extent of this issue and its impact on affected students.
“Specifically, I request the following data: 1. The specific number of KCSE certificates currently being withheld by public secondary schools in each county. 2. The primary reasons why these certificates are being withheld. Understanding the causes behind this issue is crucial to developing effective solutions,” the letter read in part.
The letter was copied to; the Chief Executive Officer, Commission on Administration of Justice, Education CS Julius Ogamba, and Chief Executive Officer for the National Examination Council.
However, in its response, the Ministry of Education noted that withholding certificates by schools is illegal, noting that Kenya National Examination Council (KNEC) Act 2012 Section 10 (1) (b) provides that certificates issued by KNEC shall not be withheld from the candidates by any person or institution.
“It is therefore the responsibility of the individual candidates to collect their certificates upon completion of their secondary education. The ministry will only act on complaints raised by individual students. CIAG should therefore provide the names of students whose certificates have been withheld for further action,” read in part the letter signed by Florence Amoit for Principal Secretary.
Ogamba’s directive
In what appeares to be mounting pressure on the matter, Education CS Mr Ogamba on March 17 held a press conference and directed school heads to release any certificates being held within two weeks.
Mr Owalla has however noted that the response was unsatisfactory, noting that the entity has begun drafting suits against individual school heads.
He dismissed both Ms Amoit’s response and Mr Ogamba’s directive, saying they do not hold water.
“The CS gave a political declaration not backed with a circular. The written response by Ms Amoit also did not address the issues we raised. We have no option but to go for the school heads,” said Owalla.
Lake Region Bulletin is in possession of a list of 200 candidates whose certificates are being held by various schools, some dating back to early 1990s.
In the list, some of the affected candidates indicated that their certificates are held due to fee arrears, as well as unremitted ream papers.
‘The CS gave a political declaration not backed with a circular. The written response by Ms Amoit also did not address the issues we raised. We have no option but to go for the school heads’- chris owalla
Owalla said his team was still receiving statements from other affected Kenyans till April when the entity is expected to file individual suits against affected school heads.
He said the entity continues to receive reports from affected Kenyans through email address; info@ciagkenya.com or calls +254716384135 or directly in their Kisumu office located at Varsity Plaza, Maseno University, Town Campus 2nd Floor Aparts, Door 2D and Siaya Office’s Lake Western Office Park 3rd floor right-wing.
