For those of us looking to verify the authenticity of university degrees here in Kenya, there are two official bodies that are entitled to undertake the verification process. This activity is very important especially after a report was released indicating that majority of the civil workforce in the country have fake documents.
Checking to know if certain academic qualifications are authentic from local universities involves contacting specific institutions that offer degree verification services. We currently have two known bodies that are in charge of undertaking this verification process, which include, the Kenya National Qualifications Authority (KNQA) and the British Council in Nairobi. In this article, we’ve outlined a step-by-step guide on how you can apply to these institutions for degree verification.
1. Kenya National Qualifications Authority (KNQA)
Responsibilities: The KNQA is the key authority in charge of verifying degree certificates within Kenya. It ensures that academic qualifications adhere to national standards.
Application Process:
Prepare Your Documents:
- Certified copies of your certificates and transcripts, for Kenyan citizens these need to be certified by an Advocate and Commissioner for Oaths. For foreigners, it should be done by an Advocate along with Notary Public or from the place that issued them.
- Translate any non-English documents to English through a certified language translator, adding the stamp or letterhead of this translator.
- National identity card or passport, with certification for foreigners from an Advocate and Notary Public.
- Affidavit for any name changes.
- For postgraduate qualifications, a complete signature page in English is required as evidence of research work or project.
Fees:
- Kenyan citizens: KSh 1,000
- Foreign citizens: KSh 3,000
Submit Your Application:
- To start the application procedure, please go to the KNQA website.
- You will see an option for “Apply for Service” click on it and proceed to login or create an account.
- Select your level of qualification from the given options such as Masters or Undergraduate degree.
- On the next page, capture all your required qualifications details and be sure to select alignment or validation.
- Upload certificate and transcripts and any other supporting document, ensure that each upload such as for transcripts that they are merged, you cannot apply one each transcript separately. Supporting documents include secondary school qualifications or any prior qualification.
- Proceed to make the payment
2. British Council in Nairobi
Responsibilities: The British Council in Nairobi checks and confirms the copies of initial school or university degrees, particularly for academic qualifications.
Application Process:
Prepare Your Documents:
- Original documents (certificates, transcripts, notification of results).
- Photocopies of these documents to be verified.
Fees:
The verification service costs KSh 250 per document.
Visit the Office:
Visit the British Council office in Nairobi, open during normal working hours, to have your documents verified. Remember to bring both original documents and their photocopies with you.
Office Location:
The British Council, Nairobi, Kenya.
Additional Tips:
- Ensure that all documents are clear and legible.
- For further inquiries or help, the KNQA and British Council websites display contact details for customer assistance.
- If you go through each of these stages, you will be able to confirm your degree certificate and make sure it’s valid for different professional, education-related and immigration matters.