School principal goes missing after KCSE exam malpractice

KNEC CEO David Njengere and Fredrick Haga, the Head of the Directorate of Special Needs Education, oversee the opening of an examination container in Thika West Sub-County, on November 3, 2025. [Gitau Wanyoike, Standard]

A school in Kajiado County has been thrown into controversy after its principal went missing following allegations of examination malpractice during the ongoing Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education examination.

The principal is said to have left the school after an incident in which educational material was allegedly projected in an examination room during the morning paper on Monday.

The Kenya National Examination Council (Knec) has since suspended him as the centre manager, with his deputy now overseeing the conduct of the exams.

Knec Chief Executive Officer David Njengere confirmed the incident and said investigations are underway. He warned that anyone found attempting to compromise the integrity of the examinations would face consequences.

According to preliminary reports, examination officials discovered that what appeared to be responses to questions in the morning paper were projected on a screen that was being used as a timer in one of the exam rooms.

The incident occurred as candidates sat their first KCSE theory paper, marking the start of a three-week examination period that runs until November 27. 

The candidates wrote English Paper 1 in the morning and Chemistry Paper 1 in the afternoon.

The incident came as Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba warned of tough action against those engaging in exam malpractices.

Speaking in Kwale County where he supervised the opening of a examination container, the CS noted that the government had pulled all necessary resource to ensure credibility of the results.

Kadika Girls High School Principal Roselyne Ochieng, collects KCSE examination papers at the Migori Suna East container, on November 3, 2025, on November 3, 2025. [Caleb Kingwara, Standard]

“We had a discussion with the Office of the Public Prosecutor and agreed that in the event of anyone being found taking part in malpractice, legal action will be taken. Once found guilty, if it’s a teacher, he or she will be kicked out of the profession,” he warned.

Over the last two years, the Ministry of Education and Knec have intensified efforts to curb exam malpractice.

In 2023, more than 1,200 cases of irregularities were reported, mostly linked to the use of mobile phones and early exposure of papers in certain centres in Garissa, Kisii, and Migori.

Several teachers and exam officials were arrested and later interdicted.

In 2024, despite tighter surveillance, KNEC still reported isolated incidents of impersonation and collusion, leading to the cancellation of results for 870 candidates.

This year, authorities say new digital and physical monitoring measures are in place to secure the integrity of the exams.

Report by Lewis Nyaundi, Knec Mike Kihaki and Gitau Wanyoike