The Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) has been asked to disclose details of the procurement process for the printing of the 2026 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE), Kenya Junior School Education Assessment (KJSEA) and Kenya Primary School Education Assessment (KPSEA) examination materials.
In a letter dated August 25, Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah asked the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) to disclose details of the contract to print the 2026 national examination materials.
“I write pursuant to Article 35 of the Constitution of Kenya, 2010, as read together with the Access to Information Act, 2016, to request access to information held by the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) concerning the procurement, contracting and printing of examination materials for the 2026 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE), Kenya Junior School Education Assessment (KJSEA) and Kenya Primary School Education Assessment (KPSEA),” wrote Omtatah.
Omtatah made the request under Article 35 of the Constitution of Kenya and the Access to Information Act, 2016.
The senator wants KNEC to provide the tender number, title, and date the procurement process started, as well as the method used to select the company that will print the examinations.
He has also asked the council to disclose the number of firms that participated in the tender and the criteria used to evaluate them, including technical and financial capacity, previous experience, production capacity and security requirements.
Omtatah is also seeking the name of the successful bidder and the relevant tender evaluation and award decision, subject to any information legally exempt from disclosure.
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Omtatah Seeks Cost of 2026 Exam Printing Contract
The senator has asked KNEC to disclose the total value of the contract covering the printing, packaging, handling and distribution of the examination materials.
He also wants the council to state how much was budgeted and approved for the procurement, the relevant budget allocation, and whether the contract falls within the approved budget.
Omtatah further asked KNEC to disclose whether the contract has been signed and, if so, provide the date of execution, its duration, and the scope of services covered.
He also wants details of any amount already paid or committed under the contract as of the date of his request.
Omtatah has also asked KNEC to disclose information about the successful bidder, including whether it is a Kenyan company, a foreign company, or a Kenyan firm partnering with a foreign company.
If the successful bidder is Kenyan, he wants KNEC to confirm whether it established that the company had the technical, financial and operational capacity and relevant experience required to print national examination materials.
If the contractor is foreign, Omtatah wants details of its country of incorporation, any Kenyan partner, subcontractor or local agent and the extent to which the work will be carried out in Kenya or abroad.
He has also asked KNEC to disclose whether any part of the contract has been subcontracted and, where applicable, identify the material subcontractors involved.
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Omtatah Asks KNEC to Explain Tax Compliance
The senator has asked whether bidders were required to demonstrate compliance with tax and other statutory obligations as part of the tender requirements.
He also wants KNEC to confirm whether it verified the successful bidder’s tax compliance status with the Kenya Revenue Authority before awarding the contract.
The request comes amid public scrutiny surrounding Inform Lykos (SA) Hellas Ltd, a Greek company previously associated with the printing of Kenya’s national examinations and ballot papers.
Omtatah also referred to reports of KRA scrutiny over alleged tax liabilities involving the company.
However, the senator did not allege that Inform Lykos was awarded the 2026 examination printing contract.
Omtatah acknowledged that some information relating to national examinations may need to remain confidential to protect their security and integrity.
However, he argued that national security should not be used as a blanket exemption to prevent disclosure of information concerning the procurement process.
He has asked KNEC to identify any information it intends to withhold, state the specific law relied upon, and explain how releasing that information would prejudice national security or another legally protected interest.
Omtatah has also asked KNEC to provide access to non-exempt portions of documents, with only genuinely sensitive information redacted.
He clarified that his request does not seek examination paper contents, security features, sensitive printing specifications, secure locations or operational security arrangements.
Instead, he is seeking information on the procurement process, the cost of the contract, the successful bidder, and the use of public funds.
Omtatah said disclosing the information would promote transparency, accountability, and prudent use of public resources while strengthening public confidence in the national examinations system.
He has asked KNEC to provide the requested information within the statutory period provided under the Access to Information Act, 2016.
“We accordingly request that the information be furnished within the statutory period prescribed by section 9 of the Access to Information Act, 2016. Where any part of the request cannot lawfully be granted, we request that KNEC nevertheless provide the non-exempt information and identify, with specificity, the legal basis for withholding the remainder,” stated Omtatah.
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