This archive report was first published on 16 September 2019.
On September 16, 2019, Audrey Ithibu Mbugua, a transgender activist, made history after receiving a new Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) certificate.
The certificate was issued after the high court ruled in her favor, allowing her to change her name from Andrew Mbugua to Audrey Mbugua.
However, the Kenya National Examinations Council (Knec) initially challenged the ruling at the court of appeal, but ultimately upheld the decision.
Audrey took to social media to express her joy and gratitude, saying, "I am happy KNEC complied with the orders of the court and issued me with a new certificate. I urge other transgender people who have changed their names to apply for new certificates. I thank all those who supported me and my transgender family. You chose the side of winners and you definitely chose justice," she posted on Facebook.
Audrey was born and raised as Andrew Ithibu Mbugua and attended Kiambu High School, a boys-only school, where she sat her KCSE exam in 2001 and scored a mean grade of A- (minus).
After changing her name to Audrey Ithibu Mbugua in January 2012, she requested Knec to update her exam certificate, but the council initially refused, leading to a lengthy court battle.
