Kenya Brings Home Printing of National Exams After Decades of UK Outsourcing

Kenya is set to bring home the printing of its national examinations, ending more than four decades of outsourcing the sensitive process to the United Kingdom. For years, the papers were printed under tight security in the UK before being flown back into the country under heavy guard, a routine that became part and parcel of the examination calendar.

The latest move signals a major policy shift, with authorities opting to take the bull by the horns and manage the entire process on home soil. Education stakeholders say the decision is aimed at tightening security, cutting costs and strengthening local capacity. For a long time, the overseas arrangement was seen as the safest bet in safeguarding the integrity of national exams, but officials now believe the country has the muscle and infrastructure to handle the task.

The printing of national examinations, overseen by the , has always been treated as a matter of national security. From guarded warehouses to police escorts, every step has traditionally been handled with utmost secrecy to prevent leaks that could throw the education system into disarray.

By localising the printing process, the government is effectively saying the time has come to trust local systems and expertise. Education insiders argue that the move could also boost accountability and reduce logistical hurdles associated with overseas printing.

More details on how the transition will be implemented, including the security framework and timeline, are expected in due course. For now, all eyes are on how the country will pull off this delicate balancing act without missing a step.