Beware of fake exams, Knec warns candidates

Knec Chief Executive Officer Joseph Kivilu

The Kenya National Examinations Council (Knec) has raised alarm over fake Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) exam papers in circulation through mobile phones.

Knec Chief Executive Officer Joseph Kivilu warned candidates that fraudsters would want to rake in more money in the next phase of the examinations and asked them not to fall prey.

He said some university and college students have been recruited to disseminate the fake material.

Mr Kivilu said many arrests have so far been made on persons generating and sending fake questions through Whatsapp, a mobile phone application, to confuse candidates.

"We are sending an alert to all stakeholders and the general public to be wary of unscrupulous persons who engage in fraudulent examination related activities before, during and after examination period," said Kivilu.

He said the fraudsters are currently engaging in printing, circulating and selling fake examination papers fully branded and complete with alleged marking schemes," said Kivilu. He said arrests have been made in Molo, Meru, parts of Western and Nyanza regions.

Seized fake items in circulation include confidential material for Chemistry practicals that were circulated through Whatsapp.

Other materials confiscated are Biology and CRE in Nakuru.

Kivilu asked the public to watch out as the fake examinations are currently being circulated through modern technology.

"Fraudsters have become smarter now and they are using new technology to disseminate fake examination questions. Security agencies have been alerted and candidates are advised to keep off such material," said Kivilu.

Meanwhile, teachers contracted by Knec to administer the national examinations have asked for an advance payment to facilitate their movement to the centres.

The teachers argue that due to lack of September pay, they cannot afford transport to the central pick up points.

Teachers' payment

Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers Secretary General Akelo Misori said secondary school teachers listed to administer the examinations have approached him to make the plea.

"We are writing to the Knec CEO to consider the proposal because the difficult financial times call for tougher decisions," said Mr Misori yesterday after meeting some invigilators and supervisors in Nairobi.

But yesterday, Kivilu said it would not be feasible to release any funds beforehand.

"We have a contractual agreement with the administrators and the arrangement is that they work first then we pay them after a thorough audit and verification of staff who fully participated in the exercise," said Kivilu.

He said the advance payment would be tricky because some invigilators who do not follow instructions during administration of the examinations may not be paid.

"We must ensure that each administrator has effectively and faithfully delivered the services, then we release the payment," said Kivilu.

Speaking to The Standard Sunday, Kivilu said no hiccups have been reported so far since the start of KCSE.

He said Knec is prepared for any eventualities during the entire administration of examinations.

"Programmes for the dispatch of examination materials to the distribution centres through the drop-off points and return of the answer scripts to the council have been prepared," said Kivilu.

He said the programmes have been dispatched to the respective county and sub-county education officials for their information, reference and action.

 Kivilu also said the council has requested for reinforcement of security personnel.

"We have requested additional security for areas prone to insecurity such as Garissa, Mandera, Wajir, Turkana, Tana River and Kwale," he said.