The Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) officials, during a routine monitoring exercise, apprehended 13 individuals, including the Principal, Supervisors, Invigilators, and a teacher from another school, in connection with ongoing examination malpractice at Nyamninia Secondary School in Gem, Yala sub-county.
The arrest was made at approximately 10:15 AM after KNEC monitoring officers from the Council’s Nairobi headquarters uncovered a coordinated cheating scheme. According to police reports, while conducting an inspection during the ongoing Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examination, KNEC officials discovered that some candidates were in possession of photocopied answer sheets for the Mathematics paper.
The shocking discovery came as the team came across several candidates who were attempting to conceal the illicit materials. Among the recovered evidence, a supervisor was found with four photocopied response sheets, and more were found hidden by the candidates, with some attempting to swallow or hide them in private parts to avoid detection. These actions raised suspicions that the students had orchestrated the malpractice with external help, possibly from professional exam cheats hired to facilitate the operation.
The multi-agency team, comprising local security personnel led by the District Commissioner of Criminals (DCC), education officers at the sub-county and county levels, as well as KNEC officials, quickly descended upon the school to verify the reports. Their investigation confirmed that a serious breach of the examination process had occurred.
Those arrested in connection with the malpractice include the principal of Nyamninia Secondary School, her deputy, a senior exam supervisor, nine invigilators, and a teacher from St. Mary’s School Yala, who was allegedly involved in the cheating ring. However, one of the invigilators managed to escape the scene and is still being pursued by authorities.
KNEC CEO, Dr. David Njengere, confirmed the arrests and expressed the Council’s commitment to maintaining the integrity of the national examinations. He stated that the case was now in the hands of the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), which would complete the investigation and prepare the necessary charges for court. Dr. Njengere emphasized that those found guilty of exam malpractice would face the full force of the law, and sanctions would be applied under the KNEC Act, Rules, and Regulations.
“This operation clearly demonstrates KNEC’s commitment to rooting out malpractice. We will continue to monitor all examination centers, and those who attempt to cheat will not go unpunished,” said Dr. Njengere during a conversation with Education News.
The news of the arrests sent shockwaves through the education sector, especially considering the gravity of the involvement of several educators in facilitating the malpractice. Exam irregularities remain a perennial challenge in Kenya’s education system, with past cases of similar nature sparking calls for tighter examination security and more robust measures to deter misconduct.
Gem sub-county police commander, Charles Wafula, further confirmed that the arrested suspects were being held at the Yala Police Station, where they are expected to be charged in court for alleged exam malpractice. Wafula reiterated that the authorities were committed to swift justice and that those found guilty would serve as an example to others who might consider attempting to compromise the examination system.
This incident highlights the ongoing battle against exam malpractices in Kenya and serves as a reminder of the importance of vigilance and strict enforcement of laws in ensuring that the integrity of the education system is upheld. As KNEC intensifies its monitoring and enforcement efforts, educators and students alike are being reminded that any attempts to manipulate the examination process will be met with severe consequences.
The case remains under investigation, and more updates are expected as the Directorate of Criminal Investigations proceeds with its probe into the scandal. The arrest of 13 teachers and staff marks a significant victory for KNEC’s ongoing efforts to preserve the credibility of the KCSE exams.
