The Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) has clarified that a title deed recently flagged as missing does not pertain to its headquarters in South C or the contentious Dennis Pritt Road land. Instead, the lost document involves an older case linked to a plot in Kileleshwa.

In a clarification issued on the official X account on Wednesday, July 2, 2025, KNEC stated: “This title is neither for KNEC headquarters in South C nor for the Dennis Pritt land. It is an old case for a piece of land in Kileleshwa.”

The Council further explained that recovery efforts are ongoing in consultation with the Ministry of Lands, which advised that “they cannot replace the title without exhausting all avenues of search and recovery, including this gazette notice.”

KNEC land tussle

The clarification follows a public notice published in the MyGov gazette on July 1, 2025, in which KNEC appealed for help in recovering the missing title deed, referenced under Land Reference Number 209/6900. The property is described as vital to the administration of national examinations, and its disappearance has sparked concern within the education and public service sectors.

“Anybody who may have come across this document is requested to drop it at the KNEC offices in South C, off Mombasa Road in Nairobi, at the nearest police station, or send it to the Chief Executive Officer, P.O. Box 73598 – 00200 Nairobi,” read the initial public notice.

The matter is now under internal investigation, and KNEC has assured stakeholders that all necessary steps are being taken to prevent service disruption. As an ISO 9001:2015 certified institution, the Council said it is committed to accountability and safeguarding public assets.

The incident highlights broader concerns over asset documentation in the public sector. The Auditor General’s 2023/24 report recently revealed that 16 government ministries and agencies lacked valid land titles for key properties, including landmark buildings like Harambee House and Nyayo House.

According to the audit, “Without verified ownership documents, it is difficult for the Auditor General’s office to confirm the legality of these properties.” The report also noted title deed gaps in several affordable housing projects.

KNEC has indicated it will follow all legal channels, including gazettal, should the document remain unrecovered. Its engagement with the public signals a transparent and proactive approach to resolving the issue amid increased national scrutiny on public land management.