The Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) on Monday, July 17, announced that it had officially moved its headquarters from Dennis Pritt Road to a new building that was under construction for 35 years.

In a statement, the council noted that it would occupy the New Mitihani House building located along Popo Road in South C that is valued at Ksh3 billion.

KNEC further explained that the Dennis Pritt-based office will remain in use but its new headquarters will handle all official functions.”This is to inform our esteemed customers and stakeholders that we have moved KNEC Head Office and all our services to the New Mitihani House, Popo Road, South C,” read the statement in part.

The construction of the New Mitihani House was first commissioned in 1986 with its budget at the time pegged at Ksh248.9 million.

The value, which has since ballooned 12-fold to Ksh3 billion was first highlighted by the Office of the Auditor General over its high turnover in contractors.

It is estimated that over eight contractors had at some point taken over during its construction even as the council struggled with financial hardships.

According to a dispatch by KNEC, the new building possesses secure executive office blocks to handle its growing needs.

“The New Mitihani House is the landmark of the council located along Mombasa Road, South C. The project encompass [sic] high rise secure executive office blocks built in an area renowned for its tranquility, good natural environment with easy access to social amenities,” the brief read in part.

The project has three caramel towers that spot a maroon-coloured top, a tortilla brown exterior and a combination of awning windows as well as cottage-window types.

The council has two other premises located along Likoni Road in Industrial Area and Mitihani House in South C.

Previously, KNEC also rented an office on the sixth floor of the National Housing Corporation House along Aga Khan Walk, Nairobi.

The mandate of the Council is outlined in Section 10 of the KNEC Act No. 29 of 2012.

Among other functions, KNEC is mandated to set and maintain examinations standards, conduct public academic, technical and other national examinations within Kenya at basic and tertiary levels, and award certificates or diplomas to candidates in such examinations.