North Eastern region marked as hot spot of exam cheating

Education CS Prof George Magoha unpacks examination material on day eight at Kibra Deputy County Commissioners Office. [Samson Wire, Standard]

Garissa, Wajir, and Mandera counties in North Eastern region have emerged as examination cheating hotspots, according to investigations by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI).

Findings by the Crime Research and Intelligence Bureau of the DCI show that the region is responsible for the growing cases of illegal exposure of national examination materials.

The probe revealed that almost all the exam materials of the ongoing Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) recovered during a recent crackdown on examination cheats were impounded in the three counties.

The DCI listed the three counties as notorious for exam leakage following results of a forensic examination on the mobile phones of four students arrested on March 20 over their possible involvement in the crime.

DCI chief George Kinoti said the four suspects who are university students were behind the distribution of leaked KCSE materials.

Kinoti said the students are a pawn in a big web of examinations frauds who include teachers, invigilators, and even local security officers.

The revelations come amid growing concern on early exposure of examinations questions.

During this year's KCSE examinations, more arrests, including of teachers, are being made as the number of mobile phones confiscated during the administration of the tests continues to rise.

Cases of impersonation have also been reported even as sector players fear the Kenya National Examination Council (KNEC) and Ministry of Education may have dropped guard.

Stakeholders warn exam cheating will water down gains already made if not checked.

Kenya National Union of Teachers (Knut) secretary-general Collins Oyuu termed as worrying, a trend where candidates are increasingly accessing examination papers before time.

“It is a bit worrying that we are seeing some levels of laxity from government officials and examination officers. The support we extended to Prof George Magoha (Education CS) and Fred Matiang’i (Interior) when reforms were instituted have borne fruits and we cannot afford to drop guard,” said Oyuu.

Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers secretary-general Akello Misori placed the blame on the leadership at the Ministry of Education led by Prof Magoha.

Misori said the leakage of examinations could be a result of internal sabotage.

“We strongly believe the examination reforms are being watered down from within the ministry, but there is a need for sustained effort to uphold reforms gained,” said Misori.

As the DCI Serious Crime Unit investigators came to this shocking conclusion, the police are of the opinion that KNEC should deal with this matter administratively without prosecution of the suspects.

A situation report on the matter seen by The Standard reveals that failure by examination administrators from the Northern region to strictly enforce the laid down guidelines has resulted in the leakage of materials.

The security brief dated March 22 also pointed an accusing finger on security agents in the region who are said to be either compromised or not keen enough to notice this malpractice.

The brief recommends that KNEC should ensure exam managers in the region strictly adhere to the laid down procedures to avoid cheating in the exams.