The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has nabbed six social media admins for various telegram sites who are allegedly involved in examination malpractices in the ongoing Kenya Certificate of Secondary Examination (KCSE).
The suspects were apprehended in the ongoing crackdown on perpetrators after the multi-agency detectives identified more than 32 social media platforms used for exam malpractice.
“The multi-agency operation by CAK officers, DCI officers attached to KNEC and all telecommunication service providers was launched after the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) monitoring team identified over 32 social media platforms being used to share, sell & post examination materials in violation of KNEC Act and regulations,” DCI stated.
Further, through their official X account on November 6, the DCI revealed how they caught up with the suspects.
DCI Issues Details of the Arrest
According to the DCI, a letter to CAK dated October 19, 2023, listed thirty-two suspicious social media telegram platforms, thirty of which were active with a membership of over 193,000 parents and students.
Consequently, as the investigations progressed and the first suspect Kalewa cornered, a huge number of members exited the telegram sites.
“As investigations gained momentum claiming the first suspect, Nicholas Kalewa aka Mr Examiner (23yrs), over 60,000 members left various groups, leaving an active participation of a staggering 130K members,” the DCI sleuths revealed.
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The suspect identified as Nicholas Kalewa had been a CRE teacher at a private school in Kiambu County.
Likewise, by November 4, six more social media group admins coordinated the fraudulence in sharing, selling, and posting of examination materials in different telegram groups.
Further the detectives mentioned Martin Mogusu alias Prof Martinez who in a chat called on teachers, parents, and students to relax, promising support needed for the exams.
“Among the suspects stood out the notorious Martin Mogusu aliased as Prof Martinez, who operated one of the most sought-after telegram groups ‘The Teacher’s Updates’, with a following in excess of 18,000,” the DCI statement reads in part.
Others arrested included two students from Thika Medical School identified by the DCI as Faith Wairimu Maina aged nineteen and Bilha Atieno Elly otherwise identified as Abilo aged twenty.
Other Suspects Caught by DCI
Furthermore, another 20-year-old admin, Prudence Mukami under the alias Sir Waylen was netted as she sought customer care services at a Safaricom shop after a line she had used in opening her telegram account was suspended.
In a separate operation, Wilfred Ondienga Obara, aliased as Prof Wilfred, and Anderson Malotwa Agasiva, 24, were arrested on similar offenses.
“The six have been arraigned today charged with, among other offences, the publication of false information,” noted the sleuths.
Notably, this operation comes barely hours after the Principal Secretary for Basic Education Belio Kipsang stated that the Ministry of Education was employing stringent measures to curb examination malpractices.
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PS Belio stated that the ministry was working with the Communications Authority of Kenya and the Cyber Crime unit under the Directorate of Criminal Investigations to ensure exam cheating does not happen.
“We have shut down a number of social media sites. We have even arrested a number of people. This week I am very sure we shall continue being on the look for those attempting any exam malpractices,” he said while officially launching the start of KCSE exams at Kenya High School in November 6.
