Kenya National Examinations Council Seeks Public Assistance to Recover Lost Land Title

The Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) has issued an urgent appeal to the public for help in locating a missing grant title for a parcel of land it owns in Nairobi. The lost document pertains to land parcel LR. No. 209/6900, and its absence has raised concerns about the security of the council's property rights. KNEC has requested that anyone who may have information about or possession of the title deed return it to their headquarters in South C, off Mombasa Road, or to the nearest police station.

In a public notice, KNEC disclosed that the grant title, a critical legal document that confirms ownership of the land, has been missing for an unspecified period. The council has not provided details on how or when the document was lost, prompting questions about the circumstances surrounding its disappearance. The notice emphasizes the importance of recovering the title to safeguard KNEC's legal ownership and prevent potential disputes or fraudulent claims.

The missing title is part of a broader issue of lost government documents in Kenya. Last year, the Office of the Head of Public Service reported that 366 title deeds belonging to various government entities were unaccounted for, highlighting systemic challenges in the management of public land records. The government has distanced itself from liability for unauthorized transactions that may have contributed to these losses, underscoring the urgency for institutions like KNEC to secure their assets.

A grant title serves as definitive proof of legal ownership in Kenya, granting the holder the right to use, develop, or transfer the property. For a public institution like KNEC, which relies on its properties to support its operations, the loss of such a document poses significant risks. Without a valid title, the council could face legal and administrative obstacles, including challenges in asserting ownership or pursuing development projects on the land. This situation could also expose the property to fraudulent claims, a growing concern in Kenya given the increasing incidents of land grabbing.

KNEC has provided multiple avenues for the public to assist in recovering the document. Individuals who locate the title are encouraged to deliver it directly to KNEC's headquarters in South C, Nairobi. Alternatively, they can hand it over to any police station for further action. For those preferring to mail the document, KNEC has provided a postal address: The Chief Executive Officer, Kenya National Examinations Council, P.O. Box 73598 – 00200, Nairobi. The council has expressed gratitude in advance for public cooperation, emphasizing the critical role the title plays in securing its property rights.

The loss of the title deed comes at a time when KNEC is navigating significant operational changes, including the introduction of a mid-year Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examination series and preparations for the 2025 Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) assessments. The council's South C headquarters, where the missing land is located, serves as a central hub for these activities, making the recovery of the title even more pressing.

This incident also sheds light on broader land management issues in Kenya. The National Land Commission (NLC), tasked with overseeing public land, has faced criticism for its limited authority to recover grabbed land, with final decisions resting with the chief land registrar. Recent reports indicate that other public institutions, including the Kenya Airports Authority and the Ministry of Health, have also struggled to secure title deeds for their properties, raising concerns about systemic vulnerabilities in land administration.

Public land disputes remain a significant source of insecurity in Kenya, often fueling conflicts between communities, private entities, and government institutions. The Ministry of Lands, Public Works, Housing, and Urban Development has been urged to address these challenges by ensuring proper documentation and titling of public land. In April 2025, the government launched a nationwide operation to reclaim grabbed public land, signaling a commitment to tackling the issue.

KNEC's call for public assistance underscores the importance of community vigilance in protecting public assets. The council remains hopeful that the missing title will be recovered swiftly, allowing it to secure its property and continue its critical work in administering national examinations. Members of the public with any information about the missing grant title for LR. No. 209/6900 are urged to act promptly to assist KNEC in resolving this matter.