KCSE: 19 arrested, 17 phones seized as Gov't deploys special police unit to curb cheating

Nineteen people, including examination centre managers, have been arrested countrywide over irregularities in the ongoing Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examinations.

A special police unit deployed to curb cases of exam cheating also arrested five imposters writing exams for candidates at two centres in Nairobi and Kericho.

The Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) also seized 17 mobile phones from students sitting for their KCSE examinations in two separate incidents in Moyale and Saku constituencies in Marsabit County.

The second day of the KCSE exams was marred by widespread irregularities, even as the government clarified that examinations would continue in affected schools as investigations and prosecutions get underway.

Siaya, Samburu, Kericho, and Kitui counties led in the number of suspects arrested. In Siaya, Rachar Secondary School topped the list of shame with five suspects arrested, including the school principal Patrick Omondi, invigilator Paul Akumba, centre supervisor Victor Amollo, school secretary Faith Odhiambo, and school cook Milicent Awino Oluoch.

Moi Girls High School in Maralal, Samburu County, also had three officials arrested, centre manager Peter Loong’ono, exams supervisor John Lolmeweti, and dean of studies Robert Omondi Odhiambo.

In Kericho County, Kericho Day Secondary School was also implicated in cheating, with police arresting three imposters caught sitting exams for candidates.

Kenyatta University student Duncan Kipkemoi Kipkirui was arrested while writing an exam for candidate Aaron Kiptoo Ngeno.

Two others, Aron Kiptoo Ngeno and Desmond Kipkorir Bett, both students from Kabianga University, were also caught impersonating candidates Geoffrey Kipyegon Bosuben and Amos Korir Kipyegon respectively.

In Nairobi, two imposters were arrested at Kongoni South C, where they were writing exams for two candidates who had paid Ksh.30,000 and Ksh.20,000 respectively.

Two other examination officials were arrested in Kitui, while Nyamira and Bungoma counties also recorded incidents of exam irregularities.

In Marsabit County, nine students were caught at Sessi Mixed Secondary School in Moyale with mobile phones, while another eight private candidates were nabbed in Saku.

According to a police report, KNEC officials on duty noticed the candidates using mobile phones and ordered them to surrender the devices.

Marsabit Central Assistant County Commissioner David Saruni said the candidates were, however, allowed to continue with their Chemistry Paper One exam as investigations continue.

The government has announced that candidates and schools implicated in malpractice will be allowed to continue sitting for their exams as investigations and prosecutions proceed.