State unveils 15-member team to roll out KEMIS, curb ghost learners

The Ministry of Education has launched a 15-member multi-agency team to lead the rollout of a new national student database aimed at eliminating ghost learners and improving resource distribution across schools.

The new system, known as the Kenya Education Management Information System (KEMIS), is expected to replace the current National Education Management Information System (NEMIS), which has faced widespread criticism over inefficiency and data manipulation.

Basic Education Principal Secretary Julius Bitok said the pilot phase of KEMIS will begin in selected counties on July 1, followed by a national learner registration drive from July 15.

A full transition to the new platform is scheduled for September.

"The rollout of KEMIS marks a critical milestone in ensuring that data-driven decision making becomes the cornerstone of education planning and service delivery in Kenya," Bitok said.

He explained that the system will help eliminate the manipulation of student data, especially in areas such as capitation, where ghost schools and inflated numbers have led to loss of public funds.

"By consolidating all learner data, from ECDE to higher education, into one platform, the system will enhance accuracy, transparency, and accessibility. It will ensure the government has the right statistics on every school to inform the distribution of teachers, capitation, books and other resources," he added.

The platform will integrate data for students, teachers, and institutions at all education levels—from Early Childhood Development and Education (ECDE) to universities.

It is also designed to fix long-standing problems caused by fragmented registration systems and will provide real-time access to data for monitoring and evaluation.

Security and privacy will be prioritised in the system, which will also allow stakeholders, including parents, to access learner information through a mobile phone-based application.

Immigration and Citizen Services Principal Secretary Belio Kipsang said the platform will be integrated with the births and deaths register through the Civil Registration Services and the National Registration Bureau.

"Under the Maisha ecosystem, we will provide a Unique Personal Identifier (UPI) to every newborn, which will also be used by KEMIS. In the event of death, the UPI will be the death certificate number. This will help us with accurate data on inevitable transitions," Kipsang said.

Members of Parliament present at the launch supported the initiative and pledged to back it in Parliament.

Education Committee Chairperson and Tinderet MP Julius Melly said KEMIS will be a key tool in budget planning.

"Whoever has accurate data is well placed to make appropriate decisions on budget allocation. We shall support the Ministry’s legislative agenda in Parliament to ensure this transformative system is fully backed by law," he said.

The unveiling of KEMIS comes at a time when lawmakers are protesting deep budget cuts by the National Treasury, which have left no funding for both national examinations and the development of the new system.

Other legislators at the event included Mary Emaase (Teso South), Phylis Bartoo (Moiben), and Joseph Makilap (Baringo North).

ICT Principal Secretary John Tanui was also in attendance and is expected to play a major role in the rollout through the Konza Technopolis Development Authority.

Teachers' union leaders, led by Kenya National Union of Teachers Secretary General Collins Oyuu, also attended the launch and pledged their support for the new platform.

The Ministry said it remains committed to using technology and reliable data, alongside collaboration across sectors, to modernise the education sector and ensure fair access to resources.