Timely intervention: Graduate finally given her diploma after 7-year wait

This story has significance for readers across Kenya and beyond.

- Imagine completing your studies in 2019 but waiting until 2026 to finally receive your diploma

- That was the ordeal faced by F.W.K., a former Kenya Coast National Polytechnic student whose delayed certificate affected her employment prospects.

- After years of follow-ups yielded no results, she finally collected her certificate after intervention by the Office of the Ombudsman

A former student of Kenya Coast National Polytechnic (KCNP) has finally received her diploma certificate after a seven-year wait, following intervention by the Commission on Administrative Justice, popularly known as the Office of the Ombudsman.

F.W.K., who graduated from the institution in 2019 with a Diploma in Tourism Management, had been unable to obtain her certificate despite completing her studies.

Missing certificate affected her job prospects

Her long wait came to an end in July 2026 after the Ombudsman stepped in to pursue the matter with both KCNP and the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC).

For F.W.K., the missing diploma was more than just a delayed academic document.

The prolonged wait had affected her ability to pursue employment opportunities, as she could not provide the official certificate required to support some of her job applications.

In 2025, KCNP issued her with an official letter confirming that she had completed her course.

Ombudsman opens inquiry

However, the institution informed her that her diploma certificate was awaiting release by KNEC and advised her to follow up with the examinations body.

Despite making several follow-ups, the certificate remained unavailable.

“Despite making several follow-ups with the institution, the diploma certificate remained unissued, thereby hindering her employment prospects,” the Ombudsman said.

After years of waiting, F.W.K. lodged a complaint with the Commission on Administrative Justice in February 2026.

KNEC pressed to resolve the matter

The Commission opened an inquiry on February 18 and wrote to the Chief Principal of KCNP seeking an explanation as to why the graduate had not received her certificate.

The polytechnic subsequently told the Ombudsman that it had already written to KNEC on August 22, 2025, requesting the release of the certificate.

KCNP also said it had sent a further reminder to the examinations body concerning the outstanding document. With the certificate still unavailable, the Ombudsman took the matter directly to KNEC.

On April 27, 2026, the Commission wrote to the examinations body seeking an explanation and an update on the delayed certificate.

When an immediate resolution did not come, the Commission followed up with a reminder on May 18 and issued a final reminder on June 5.

The persistent intervention eventually produced results. In a response dated June 18, KNEC informed the Ombudsman that it was processing F.W.K.’s certificate and that it would be ready by June 30.

Graduate finally collects her diploma

The seven-year wait finally ended on July 14 when F.W.K. informed the Commission by email that she had collected her diploma certificate from the KNEC offices.

Her long struggle to obtain proof of the qualification she earned in 2019 had finally come to an end.

The case highlights how delays in issuing academic certificates can have consequences far beyond paperwork, potentially affecting graduates’ ability to pursue employment and advance their careers.

For F.W.K., the intervention brought closure to a frustrating seven-year chapter and finally placed her diploma in her hands.

Student Denied Visa 6 Times Becomes Medical Doctor

In another story, a fresh graduate has celebrated becoming a medical doctor after overcoming several setbacks along his academic journey.

He had hoped to study at a different university but faced six visa denials before pursuing his medical education elsewhere.

After retaking the UTME and setting a target of 300 marks, he scored 301 and continued his journey towards becoming a doctor.

Source: TUKO.co.ke

Reporting originally appeared via TUKO. Read the full source for additional context.