By Mdadisi Mmoja
The ownership of Kenya’s re-engineered National Education Management and Information System (NEMIS) remains unclear, raising concerns about the security of millions of students’ data and the accountability of a £1.5 million (Ksh. 239.78 million) government investment.
Sources within the Ministry of Education have revealed to this publication that crucial documents, such as copyright registration, reservation details, or signed handover papers, establishing ownership and control of NEMIS are missing. Originally revamped under the Kenya Primary Education Development (PRIEDE) Project to enhance student data management, the system’s lack of transparency has sparked questions about whether taxpayers’ money was well spent.
With approximately 10.4 million primary school pupils and 3.9 million secondary school students relying on NEMIS, the question of who controls this sensitive data remains critical. “We have no clear understanding of the administrative structure, maintenance protocols, or security measures in place,” an insider disclosed. “It’s a black box—and that’s alarming, given what’s at stake.”
Launched in the 2021–22 financial year, the re-engineered NEMIS was touted as a significant upgrade, featuring an improved server hosted on the government’s cloud infrastructure. The late Education Cabinet Secretary, Prof. George Magoha, championed the system, asserting, “The system delivers precise data and adapts to the needs of Ministry end users.” He praised its potential to streamline capitation and enhance user experience through better architecture.
However, behind the optimistic rhetoric, cracks are emerging. Insiders claim that £829 million (Ksh. 132 billion) in education funding, £401 million for Free Day Secondary Education, £195 million for Junior Secondary Education, and £56 million for Free Primary Education, may have been disbursed without adequate verification. “Sub-county education officers aren’t validating enrolment figures in NEMIS before funds are allocated,” a source alleged. “It’s a recipe for chaos—or worse.”
The system’s design exacerbates the problem. NEMIS lacks a fixed cutoff date for updating student records, resulting in fluctuating numbers that make it nearly impossible to establish an accurate headcount at any given moment. More concerning, students without birth certificates are excluded, while those over 18 are cut off from funding, potentially denying thousands access to vital subsidies.
“There’s no transparency about who is actually benefiting,” another government source cautioned. “You have £598 million (Ksh. 95.29 billion) allocated for subsidies and £231 million (Ksh. 36.85 billion) in transfers to other entities, yet no one can confidently confirm whether the funds are reaching the intended recipients.”
As suspicions of mismanagement grow, education stakeholders and taxpayers are demanding answers. The Ministry of Education has remained silent, but pressure is mounting for an independent investigation into NEMIS. “This isn’t just about money, it’s about the future of our children,” an insider emphasised. “Who owns this system? And is it even fit for purpose?”According to sources, the crucial documents were not provided for audit, Auditor General Nancy Gathungu states in her report for the year ending June 2024.
For now, Kenya’s education data remains in a precarious state, with the government yet to clarify the murky circumstances surrounding NEMIS and the accountability of its vast financial outlays.
