By Mike Owuor

Since success in our education system depends on performance in examinations, Mr Tome Francis in Bumula is not surprised by allegations of Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education exams leakage. As in any survival of the fittest race, contestants may use fair or foul means.

"Some administrators, parents and students resort to shortcuts. This is in spite of constant assurances by Kenya National Examinations Council (Knec) that the genie of cheating had finally been bottled," he says.

He suggests students should earn marks from exams throughout their four-year studies instead of a single exam. And although Knec has done a decent job in sealing loopholes used to steal exams, Tome says cheats have become sophisticated.

His finger points to rogue supervisors who get unauthorised access to papers. And, he wonders, have reports that unethical senior Knec officials are involved ever been probed?

"Indeed cheating starts from the time of setting exams since teachers, mostly from ‘privileged’ schools are involved," he says.

Tome hopes Knec is upping its game to stop cheating, Council Secretary Paul Wasanga.