KENYA STANDARD           KS  2416-1.1: 2023  
  ICS 35.160; 35.240.99 
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Information technology — Learning, 
education and training — Computer 
hardware intended for eLearning — 
Specification 
 
Part 1.1: 
 
Desktop computer  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
© KEBS 2023                      Second Edition 2023 
 KS 2416-1.1: 2023 
 
© KEBS 2023 — All rights reserved        ii 
  
TECHNICAL COMMITTEE REPRESENTATION 
 
The following organizations were represented on the Technical Committee: 
 
Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology — JKUAT 
Elimu Holdings Ltd. 
Kenya Private Sector Alliance — KEPSA 
Commission of University Education  
Daystar University  
Development Bank Kenya Limited  
Esri Easter Africa  
Global Open Data for Agriculture and Nutrition — GODAN  
ICT Authority  
Inable Kenya  
Intelligent Technologies  
Kenya Industrial Research Institute — KIRDI 
Kenya Engineering Technology Registration Board — KETRB  
Kenya National Library services  
Maseno University  
MTECH Communications 
Multimedia University  
Nakuru Training Institute  
National Industrial Training Institute  
Spring Training and Consulting 
Sunshine Secondary School 
University of Embu 
Vision Fund Kenya 
Kenya Bureau of Standards — Secretariat 
 
 
 
 
 
REVISION OF KENYA STANDARDS 
 
In order to keep abreast of progress in industry, Kenya Standards shall be regularly reviewed. Suggestions for 
improvements to published standards, addressed to the Managing Director, Kenya Bureau of Standards, are 
welcome. 
 
 
 
 
 
© Kenya Bureau of Standards, 2023 
  
Copyright. Users are reminded that by virtue of Section 25 of the Copyright Act, Cap. 12 of 2001 of the Laws of Kenya, copyright subsists 
in all Kenya Standards and except as provided under Section 26 of this Act, no Kenya Standard produced by Kenya Bureau of Standards 
may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system in any form or transmitted by any means without prior permission in writing from the 
Managing Director. 
 
 
 
 
  KENYA STANDARD               KS  2416-1.1: 2023 
ICS 35.160; 35.240.99 
iii  © KEBS 2023 — All rights reserved  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
Information technology — learning, education 
and training — Computer hardware intended 
for eLearning — Specification 
 
Part 1.1:  
Desktop computer  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
KENYA BUREAU OF STANDARDS (KEBS) 
 
Head Office:  P.O. Box 54974, Nairobi-00200, Tel.: (+254 020) 605490, 602350, Fax: (+254 020)  604031 
E-Mail: info@kebs.org,  Web:http://www.kebs.org  
 
Coast Region        Lake Region          Rift Valley Region  
P.O. Box 99376, Mombasa-80100   P.O. Box 2949, Kisumu-40100   P.O. Box 2138, Nakuru-20100 
Tel.: (+254  041) 229563, 230939/40  Tel.: (+254 057) 23549, 22396   Tel.: (+254 051) 210553, 210555 
Fax: (+254  041) 229448      Fax: (+254 057) 21814 
 
 KS 2416-1.1: 2023 
 
© KEBS 2023 — All rights reserved       iv Foreword 
 
This Kenya Standard was prepared by the Technical Committee on Information Technology for Learning, Education and 
Training under the guidance of the Standards Projects Committee, and it is in accordance with the procedures of the Kenya 
Bureau of Standards.  
Since early 2020 when the pandemic disrupted learning globally, education systems have rolled out emergency remote 
learning strategies at an unprecedented scale. Studies have shown that remote learning requires three complementary 
elements: effective teachers, suitable technology, and engaged learners. 
Kenya stands to gain tremendously by fully digitizing its educational system, now and even post Covid-19 crisis. Decision-
making at the policy-making level will significantly improve thanks to data analytics capabilities that global tech partners 
bring to the table 
The Digital Literacy Programme (DLP) that has currently earned a brand name “DigiSchool” was borne out of the 
Government’s vision to equip pupils with relevant skills needed in today’s digital world. It is pertinent that all the target 
schools be connected to power grid before and quality devices that can last for a long time should be procured and 
distributed to the schools 
Many schools continue to face challenges as they take steps to transform their delivery models to extend and deepen 
student learning, while integrating use of the technology. Planning for online learning should be closely aligned with its 
technology infrastructure investments and its school improvement planning process.  
As such, KS 2416 is a multi-part standard intended to set minimum requirements for ICT infrastructure intended for learning 
education and training (eLearning) under the general title, Information Technology — Learning, Education and training —   
This part 1.1 of KS 2416 defines the minimum requirements for desktop computers to establish a solid technical platform 
for efficient delivery. This Second edition of the standard cancels and replaces KS 2416-1.1:2013 that has been technically 
revised  
The following subparts have also been developed to define minimum requirements for computer hardware intended for 
eLearning: 
 
Part 1.0 — Terms  and definition  
Part 1.1 — Desktop Computers — Specification   
Part 1.2 — Laptop Computers — Specification  
Part 1.3 — Tablet Computers — Specification   
Part 1.4 — Servers — Specification  
Part 2 of KS 2416 specifies the minimum requirements for application software intended for on-line learning.  Applications 
software for learning, education and training includes tools and systems that can be used alone or in combination to 
implement a computer-based learning program  
Part 3 of the standard specifies the minimum network requirements to support e-Learning.  
 
KS 2416 Part 4 specifies  the minimum requirement for computer peripherals necessary to support the effective use of IT 
in Learning, Education and Training  
 
During the preparation of this standard, reference was made to the following documents: 
 
i) Non-proprietary performance description of Desktop PCs, Guideline, version 3.4, BITKOM. 
ii) Non-proprietary procurement specifications notebooks, Guideline, version 2.1, BITKOM. 
iii) www.bapco.com  
 
Acknowledgement is hereby made for the assistance derived from these sources. 
  
KENYA STANDARD                            KS2416-1.1: 2023 
 
 
© KEBS 2023 — All rights reserved      1 Information technology — Learning, education and training — 
Computer hardware intended for eLearning — Specification 
 
Part 1.1: 
Desktop computer 
 
1 Scope 
 
1.1 This Kenya Standard specifies the minimum requirement for desktop computer hardware necessary 
to support the effective use of IT in Learning, Education and Training (IT LET). 
 
It defines the technical requirements for basic hardware devices that any computer-based, web-based or online 
learning program must implement to establish a solid technical platform for efficient delivery. 
 
1.2 IT LET applies to: 
 
─ online and digital teaching and training resources 
─ social, collaborative and content creation applications 
─ virtual classrooms and communication tools 
─ audio and/or video player 
 
1.3 This standard applies to new, used and refurbished computer hardware. 
 
2 Normative references 
 
The following referenced documents are indispensable for the application of this Kenya Standard. For dated 
references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document 
(including any amendments) applies. 
 
KS 2416-1.0,  Information Technology — Learning education and Training — hardware intended for eLearning 
— Terms and Definitions 
 
KS 2416-2,  Information Technology — Learning education and Training — Part 2: Software intended for 
eLearning 
 
KS 2416-3,  Information Technology — Learning education and Training — Part 3: Network components to 
support eLearning 
 
KS ISO 2382-36, Information technology — Vocabulary Part 36: Learning, education and training 
 
KS IEC 60950-1,  Information technology equipment — Safety — Part 1: General requirements 
 
KS 2880 — Information technology equipment — Computers — Minimum Energy Performance Standards 
(MEPS) Part 1:   Specification. 
 
KS 2879 — Information technology equipment — Minimum Energy Performance Standards — Computer 
monitors Part 1:  Performance and energy rating requirements 
 
KS ISO IEC IEEE 8802-3  —  Information technology - Telecommunications and information exchange 
between systems - Local and metropolitan area networks - Specific requirements Part 3: Standard for Ethernet 
 KS 2416-1.1:2013 
 
2   © KEBS 2023 — All rights reserved  
 
3 Definitions 
 
For the purposes of this standard, the definitions in part 1.0 of this standard shall apply. 
Additionally, ISO and IEC maintain terminological databases for use in standardization at the following addresses: 
— IEC Electropedia: available at http://www.electropedia.org/   
— ISO Online browsing platform: available at http://www.iso.org/obp  
 
 
4 Requirements 
 
4.1 General requirements  
 
All computers shall have the following general requirements: 
 
4.1.1  All computers shall have protective hard cover casing free from sharp edges that are likely to cause 
injury to the user as defined in Clause 5  of the standard and in KS IEC 60950 Part 1. 
 
4.1.2 Information on the product’s energy consumption and, where applicable, its related energy modes 
shall be made available in the product user documentation in either printed or electronic form. 
 
4.1.3 All used/ refurbished computers shall have warranty of not less than six months and 1 year warranty 
for new computers. 
 
4.1.4 The system shall run genuine operating system software as detailed in Part 2 of this standard.  
 
4.1.5 All refurbished computers  shall have a test certificate as evidence that the system has gone 
through the same test cycle as a new computer. 
 
4.1.6 While the functional specifications aim to act as a guide, it is worth remembering that the inclusion 
of products and company names does not imply approval by Kenya Bureau of Standards nor does the 
exclusion imply the reverse. 
 
4.1.7 Under normal or overload conditions, no output shall continuously provide more than 240 VA under 
any conditions of load including output short circuit, per the requirement of KS ISO IEC 60950 . 
 
4.2 Performance requirements  
 
The following performance benchmarks and industry standards are recommended for reference: 
 
i) BAPCo_SYSmark25_user_guide_v1.1 
ii) NOVABENCH January 2021 
iii) PRIME 95 
iv) PC MARK10 
 
 
 
 KS 2416-1.1: 2023 
 
© KEBS 2023 — All rights reserved                       3 4.3    Functional requirements for desktop computers shall be as defined in Table 1. 
 
Table 1 — Functional specifications for desktop computers 
 
Hardware property Primary/ elementary  Secondary Higher learning  Advanced higher 
learning Recommendations 
Monitor 
Display size  17-inch, LCD Screen, 17-Inch, LCD 
screen, 17-Inch, LCD 
screen 17-Inch, LCD 
screen These are minimum 
requirements, however depending 
on the use case, higher 
requirements may be preferred Screen resolution  1024 x 768 pixels 1024 x 768 pixels 1024 x 768 pixels  1024 x 768 pixels  
Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) 
Graphics:  PCle 256 MB onboard 256 MB onboard 256 MB onboard or 
external 256 MB 
external These are minimum requirements, 
however depending on the use 
case higher requirements may be 
preferred  
Processor/Central Processing Unit (CPU)  
Standard x86-architecture x86-architecture x86-architecture x86-architecture  
Main Memory (RAM) 
Memory Size  2 x 1 GB RAM 4 GB RAM 4GB  8 GB  To avoid performance hits, make 
sure that both memory banks are 
populated symmetrically. 
 KS 2416-1.1: 2023 
 
4         © KEBS 2023 — All rights reserved Hardware property Primary/ elementary  Secondary Higher learning  Advanced higher 
learning Recommendations 
Technology  SDRAM SDRAM SDRAM  SDRAM  At present a clock speed of 
677/800 MHz is standard for DDR 
2 and 1066/1333 MHz for DDR 3. 
 
 As the use of 4 GB or more only 
makes sense with 64-Bit 
operating systems, an extension 
to 3 GB is sufficient for 
performance reasons on 32-bit 
operating systems.  
Storage, hard disk /secondary memory 
Size/ Capacity  250 GB 500 GB 500 GB 1 TB  
 The higher the cache size (4, 8, 
16, or 32MB) per disk the higher 
the data transfer rate. 
Motherboard 
Form factor ATX/BTX (To match 
case) ATX/BTX (To match 
case) ATX/BTX (To 
match case)  ATX/BTX (To 
match case)   Choice of a form factor not only 
determines the size of the PC, but 
also the number of internal slots 
available for extension cards. 
 
 PCIe x16 slot should be available 
for graphics cards as a minimum. KS 2416-1.1: 2023 
 
© KEBS 2023 — All rights reserved                       5 Hardware property Primary/ elementary  Secondary Higher learning  Advanced higher 
learning Recommendations 
Input/output devices 
Key board Qwerty, 6-feet cable 
USB 2.0 connector Qwerty, 6-feet cable 
USB 2.0 connector Qwerty, 6-feet 
cable, USB 2.0 
connector,  Qwerty, 6-feet 
cable 
USB 2.0 connector   
Mouse Optical sensor; 
controller inbuilt 
USB 2.0 connector 
3-button (including 
scroll) Optical sensor; 
controller inbuilt 
USB 2.0 connector 
3-button (including 
scroll) Optical sensor; 
controller inbuilt 
USB 2.0 connector 
3-button (including 
scroll) Optical sensor; 
controller inbuilt 
USB 2.0 connector  
3-button (including 
scroll)  
Network connection  
Gigabit Ethernet 10/100 
  10/100/1000 
  10/100/1000 
 10/100/1000   
 
 KS ISO IEC IEEE 8802-3   
Standard for Ethernet 
Interface RJ 45/ PCIe onboard RJ 45/ PCIe onboard RJ 45/ PCIe 
onboard RJ 45/ PCIe 
onboard 
Power supply 
Form factor ATX or higher  
(To match case) ATX or higher 
(To match case) ATX or higher 
(To match case) ATX or higher 
(To match case)  Sufficiently dimensioned for full 
extensibility 
 
 Active PFC (Power Form 
Correction Factor) 
 Voltage mains side 220/230 v; 50 Hz 220/230 v; 50 Hz 220/230 v; 50 Hz 220/230 v; 50 Hz KS 2416-1.1: 2023 
 
6         © KEBS 2023 — All rights reserved Hardware property Primary/ elementary  Secondary Higher learning  Advanced higher 
learning Recommendations 
Energy Efficiency  KS 2880 — Information technology equipment — Computers — Minimum  Energy 
Performance Standards (MEPS) Part 1:   Specification. 
 
 KS 2879 — Information technology equipment — Minimum Energy Performance 
Standards — Computer monitors Part 1:  Performance and energy rating  This requirement conforms to 
Energy Star 5.0. 
 
Power plug KS EAS 495-1:2008    
  KS EAS 495-
1:2008     KS EAS 495-
1:2008     KS EAS 495-
1:2008     KS EAS 495-1:2008  is the   East 
African standard for power plugs 
Interfaces (External I/O Ports) 
USB 6 x USB 2.0 6 x USB 2.0 4 x USB 2.0 
 
1 x USB 3.0 4 x USB 2.0 
 
1 x USB 3.0  USB 2.0 interfaces (should be 
available at the front and rear of 
the machine), of which at least 6 
recommended 
 
Graphics interface  VGA/DVI 
 VGA/DVI DVI/HDMI DVI/HDMI  At least one digital graphics 
interface (DVI, HDMI or Display-
Port).  
 
 There are DVI-I and DVI-D. DVI-I 
combines a DVI_D plus a VGA 
interface. 
 
  VGA or alternative adapter, if you 
want be continuing to use older 
displays 
 KS 2416-1.1: 2023 
 
© KEBS 2023 — All rights reserved                       7 Hardware property Primary/ elementary  Secondary Higher learning  Advanced higher 
learning Recommendations 
Sound 1 Audio Out port, 1 
MIC-In port 1 Audio Out port, 1 
MIC-In port 1 Audio Out port, 1 
MIC-In port 1 Audio Out port, 1 
MIC-In port Optional interfaces depending on 
individual requirements and security 
requirements: 
 
 Parallel (old plotters/printers) 
 PS/2 
 Serial port (e.g., plotter) 
 Bluetooth 
 Firewire 
 
 
Case/chassis 
Form factor ATX/BTX ATX/BTX ATX/BTX ATX/BTX  
 Industry standards include Mini, 
Midi, Maxi Tower; Desktop ATX; 
BTX; ITX 
 
 The form factor depends on the 
workplace where the computer is 
to be deployed. Tower cases are 
more suitable for deployment 
under the desk, and desktops for 
deployment on the desk. 
 
 Make sure not to choose too 
small cases if you intend to use 
add-on cards or drives KS 2416-1.1: 2023 
 
8   © KEBS 2023 — All rights reserved  
 
5 Recycling and disposal of obsolete equipment 
 
When ICT equipment reaches its end-of-life it may be reused, refurbished, recycled or disposed of. Obsolete equipment 
shall be recycled or disposed of in the following ways: 
5.1 In accordance with standards, laws and regulations specified by the Kenya Government. This may include 
guidelines provided by the National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA) and any other applicable regulations. 
5.2 Through asset management and recovery programs within the institution. 
5.3 By contacting your computer supplier or retailer and request information on their recycling schemes, leasing and 
take back option 
© KEBS 2023 — All rights reserved  9