Residents of Masaba North have voiced their concerns and called for a broader investigation into the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) after the arrest of Stephen Mbeche, a suspect accused of distributing Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) exam papers through social media. This plea comes amidst growing frustrations over the integrity of the examination process and the role played by officials in leaking exam materials.
The incident unfolded when Mbeche, who was arrested yesterday, was discovered to have been operating a Telegram channel where he sold leaked exam papers to unsuspecting candidates and their parents. According to Emily Mokeira, a local resident, the arrest of Mbeche was only a partial solution. Mokeira, speaking on behalf of the concerned residents, stated that it was unfair for the lower-level suspect to bear the full brunt of the consequences while those at the higher echelons, particularly KNEC officials, remained untouched.
The residents are now calling for an immediate investigation into KNEC headquarters to identify the officials responsible for leaking the papers to Mbeche. They argue that these officials are the primary culprits, and their arrest and punishment should take precedence over that of the person selling the papers. Mokeira pointed out the difficult economic situation that many Kenyans, especially the youth, are facing. With rising unemployment and a struggling economy, she explained, people are increasingly resorting to illegal and unethical means to survive.
“The people who leaked the papers should be arrested and punished first. They are the ones who initiated the malpractice. If they are not held accountable, it will only fuel more corruption in our education system,” Mokeira emphasized.
The police, in collaboration with KNEC officers, managed to track Mbeche after an intense surveillance operation. According to Officer Muriithi, the lead officer from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) in the sub-county, Mbeche had been extorting money from more than 800 candidates and their parents. The suspect ran a Telegram channel where he promised to provide “guaranteed” high grades, including B+ and above, after candidates paid for the leaked exam materials.
“We were able to locate him after receiving reports and monitoring his activities. He used his cyber café premises to run the operation,” said Officer Muriithi. During a search of Mbeche’s premises, police confiscated a laptop and a mobile phone, which were the main tools used to distribute the illicit materials.
One of the posts found on Mbeche’s Telegram channel read: “All KCSE papers are with me now. Big schools are already in touch with my papers. Join VIP channel early to compete with big schools in my VIP private channel. B+ and above is assured and guaranteed after payments.” This message highlights the scale and level of the operation, which targeted vulnerable candidates who were desperate to improve their chances of success in the national exams.
The suspect was initially detained at Keroka Police Station, where he was to record a statement and undergo further interrogation. However, sources have reported that Mbeche was later removed from the station and taken to an undisclosed location. This move was allegedly made to avoid overcrowding and manage the growing attention from the public, which had gathered in large numbers outside the police station to protest the matter.
Efforts to contact both the Nyamira County and Masaba North sub-county education directors, Joshua Kega and Gabriel Ogano, for comment were unsuccessful at the time of publishing this story. However, Nyamira County Commissioner Erastus Mbui confirmed Mbeche’s arrest and noted that investigations were underway.
The growing demand for accountability from the residents of Masaba North underscores the urgent need for reforms within KNEC and the broader education system. The case has sparked concerns over the extent of corruption in the exam process and the role of officials in perpetuating such malpractices. As the investigation into Mbeche continues, the call for greater scrutiny of KNEC and its personnel remains louder than ever.
With the integrity of the national exams at stake, the public is keenly awaiting the next steps in the investigation and hoping for swift action to ensure justice is served. The arrest of Stephen Mbeche may only be the beginning of a much larger inquiry into the inner workings of the education system in Kenya.
