In a landmark shift aimed at reducing costs and strengthening exam security, the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) has announced that it will begin printing national examination papers locally for the first time after decades of relying on overseas printing firms.
The move comes as part of broader efforts to streamline the administration of national exams, cut rising logistical costs and enhance the integrity of test materials ahead of key assessments such as the Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) and Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE).
Historic shift to local printing
For many years, KNEC has outsourced printing of examination booklets and optical mark recognition forms to foreign security printers, a practice that education stakeholders have criticised for being expensive and logistically cumbersome.
This arrangement will soon change: Basic Education Principal Secretary Julius Bitok told the National Assembly Education Committee that Sh147 million has been earmarked in the proposed 2026/27 budget to acquire specialised printing machines so that exam materials can be produced domestically.
Officials say the investment will not only save foreign exchange but also give Kenya greater control over highly confidential exam content.
“One of the biggest concerns has always been high costs and logistical challenges linked to overseas printing,” an Education Ministry official explained during the session. “Printing exams here will strengthen security and reduce turnaround times.”
Cost, security and logistical benefits
Ending overseas printing is expected to tackle several longstanding challenges:
- Reduced Transportation Costs: Currently, exam papers printed abroad must be flown into the country under tight security, adding significantly to overall expenditure.
- Enhanced Security: By producing exam materials locally, authorities aim to minimise risks linked to leaks and breaches that sometimes occur during international handling.
- Faster Turnaround: Local printing will allow faster dispatch of exam papers to schools and reduce dependency on foreign schedules and shipments.
Education stakeholders welcomed the announcement, noting that investing in local capacity could lower overall costs while boosting national competency in handling large-scale, confidential printing projects.
A teacher representative said, “This move recognises Kenya’s capacity and will benefit schools by ensuring timelier access to exam materials and reducing costs tied to overseas contracts.” Educators have repeatedly raised concerns about outsourcing, especially given that sensitive documents such as passports are printed locally.
Political and public reaction
The issue of exam printing previously drew political scrutiny when National Treasury officials questioned why Kenya continued to export such a key task. In comments reported last year, Treasury leaders wondered aloud why sensitive documents like exam papers were still being printed abroad while passports were produced domestically. That debate helped spur the current policy shift.
Parents and teachers say the move could also ease pressure on the education system by reducing the chance of delays in exam distribution — a factor that has occasionally disrupted scheduling in the past.
However, some stakeholders emphasised the need for KNEC to prioritise investments in secure printing infrastructure and staff training to ensure local operations meet high confidentiality standards.
Next steps and timeline
With funding set aside in the national budget, KNEC will begin the procurement process to acquire equipment and establish a secure printing facility capable of handling optical mark recognition forms and other national exam materials.
Once established, local printing is expected to begin as early as the 2027 examination cycle.
Education experts say the shift could eventually allow Kenya to become a regional centre for printing secure educational and official documents, further deepening institutional capacity in the education sector.
For now, students, parents and teachers are watching closely as KNEC prepares to turn a long-standing policy into reality — one that could reshape how exams are managed in Kenya for generations to come.
