More arrests of KCSE cheats, as exams enter homestretch

Education Cabinet Secretary George Magoha at a distribution center in Homa Bay County. [James Omoro, Standard]

14 examination officials, among them seven secondary school principals, were arrested in the past one week in a crackdown on KCSE malpractice, Education Cabinet Secretary Prof George Magoha has said.

Those arrested are from regions mapped out as notorious hotspots for examination leakage; Fafi Sub-county in Garissa, Suba and Rachuonyo (Homa Bay), Mandera Central, Kenyenya Sub-County (Kisii), and Nyakach Sub-county in Kisumu.

Speaking after monitoring the administration of the examinations at Kenya High School, Prof Magoha said unscrupulous examination officials are keen on abating cheating despite concerted efforts to stem the vice.

“Although we have been decisive and ruthless in our pursuit of the masterminds of these unethical practices, we regrettably note that some of them are determined to go to any lengths in a bid to expose the contents of examination papers once they are released in the morning to schools after 6am,” said Prof Magoha.

Prof Magoha said the actions of few officials will not dent the credibility of the examinations and called for extra vigilance among examination administrators and security agencies.

“I wish to assure the country that these attempts to access the examinations have not interfered with the credibility of the examinations as the exposed questions were never accessed by candidates. As we head towards the tail end of the examinations, I implore on all officials working under multi-agency examinations not to relent until the exercise is fully completed,” said Magoha.

To candidates in the five zoned regions, Prof Magoha said adequate arrangements have been made to facilitate their travel.

“I wish to assure parents that the ministry has already put in place measures to ensure a smooth travel of all candidates to their home counties,” said Magoha.

In a circular released Friday, Basic Education PS Jwan Julius directed County Directors of Education to liaise with County Commissioners and School Principals in the lockdown counties of Nairobi, Kiambu, Nakuru, Machakos, and Kajiado to facilitate travel after the examinations.

They were also directed to ensure that students are in full school uniform from their respective schools and bear a letter of introduction. “Work with county commissioners and principals of schools to ensure that candidates are facilitated to travel,” read the circular in part.