All should unite to clear rot at Knec

The revelation of the years-long rot at the Kenya National Examination Council (Knec) is shocking.

It has come to light that the previous Knec officials have been running a string of cartels, which even include some principals of the top national schools.

This without doubt raises a lot of questions about the standards of candidates joining higher institutions of learning and more so those being admitted to undertake competitive courses like medicine and engineering.

The mess calls for the intervention of all stakeholders.

Another punching issue unearthed in the exam body is tribalism and nepotism.

That incompetent people have secured jobs and were being promoted on unclear grounds is astonishing to say the least.

This shows how qualified Kenyans lose clear chances of getting into the Government payroll just because of few selfish and retrogressive chaps.

Poor parents and students for years now have been forced to dig deeper into their pockets to buy exam leakages from these cartels.

In this process, even passing those papers is not guaranteed and the risk of candidates being caught and results cancelled is not a matter of concern to the principals and parents involved.

This is discontentment of the highest order. Apart from the job unfaithfully acquired, these cartels still have the courage of siphoning millions from parents.

Today, as we encourage Education Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i to soldier on with the cleaning of the examination board, how we pray this process be extended to the high school principals who may think they are safe.

The process should further include parents, teachers, students and security personnel on the exam circuit. Everyone should know the importance and the delicate nature of exams.