A Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) impersonation case has exposed broader registration irregularities at a private school in Nakuru County, where 37 adults aged 20 to 48 were among 58 candidates registered for the national examinations.
This comes as KCSE written papers enter day four on Thursday, November 5. The written phase began on Monday, November 2 and will run until Friday, November 20.
Police arrested a 31-year-old man accused of sitting the ongoing KCSE examinations for another student at the school.
Detectives identified the suspect and arrested him on Wednesday, November 4, following reports that an adult was writing the examination for a registered candidate.
“We have arrested one case of impersonation, someone doing an exam for another person, which is wrong. The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has gone with the impersonator,” Victoria Mulili, education officer in Nakuru, said.
Police said the suspect had already sat five examination papers before his arrest, and they are holding him at Lanet Police Station as investigations continue.
37 Adults Registered for KCSE at Private School
Education officials established that 37 of the 58 candidates registered at the private school were adults aged between 20 and 48.
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Officials said the candidates should have been registered at special examination centres rather than the regular school examination centre.
The discovery prompted further investigations into the school’s registration procedures and the possible involvement of other individuals in the irregularities.
Education officials said they were working with the DCI to establish the full extent of the malpractice and identify anyone who may have facilitated the scheme.
Ogamba Issues Warning to KCSE Candidates, Releases Toll-Free Numbers
Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba has urged Kenyans to help safeguard the credibility of the ongoing national examinations by reporting suspected examination malpractice to the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC).
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Speaking in Nairobi, Ogamba asked members of the public to share credible information through the council’s toll-free lines, 0800-724-900 and 0800-721-410.
He also warned candidates, parents and other members of the public against online fraudsters claiming to have access to examination papers, cautioning that such individuals could be targeting unsuspecting Kenyans.
“I caution candidates, parents and members of the public against individuals or online groups who are claiming to possess examination materials. Be vigilant so that you do not get conned,” he said.
Ogamba’s warning comes amid heightened efforts by examination authorities to secure examination materials and prevent malpractice that could undermine the fairness and credibility of the national examinations.
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