- Twenty-six individuals, including nine students, were arrested in connection with exam malpractice during the ongoing KCSE examinations
- A school in Mombasa topped the list of institutions linked to multiple cases, followed by another in Bungoma county
- In some schools, a non-teaching staff member and a civilian were involved, raising concerns about unauthorised access to school premises during the exam period
Nancy Odindo, a TUKO.co.ke journalist, has over four years of experience covering Kenyan politics, news, and features in digital and print media.
The number of arrests linked to the ongoing Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examinations has surged to 51, as authorities intensify efforts to curb exam malpractice across the country.
Source: Twitter
Oceania Junior Secondary School, located at the Shelly Beach examination centre in Mombasa, has emerged as the alleged epicenter of the scandal.
According to a report by Citizen TV on Thursday, November 13, a total of 26 individuals were arrested from various schools, including invigilators, students, and a cook.
Read also
Kasipul Violence: Assistant chief suspended after 2 youths allegedly killed in his presence
Who were arrested from Mombasa school?
Among those arrested at Oceania Secondary School are centre manager Edinah Furaha Nelson and six invigilators: Omar Rashid Mzungu, Collins Oduor Oteyo, Steven Kimani Kamau, Lucy Awino Odhiambo, Mwanajuma Zami Chale, and Lina Owiti, the school cook.
Six students from the same institution were also taken into custody.
In Homa Bay county, two invigilators—Peter Odhiambo Sima and James Nyasani Nyakundi—were arrested at Agoro Sare Secondary School.
In Migori, authorities arrested deputy centre manager Benard Otieno and invigilator George Oudo from St. Anne’s Sunrise Secondary School.
Which invigilators were arrested from Bungoma county?
Bungoma county also recorded multiple arrests at St. Cecilia Secondary School, where five invigilators—Winny Musamala, Mercy Loponi, Annette Oswani, Rose Barasa, and Charles Wafula—were implicated in the cheating scandal.
At Friends Kaptola Secondary School in the same county, authorities apprehended Alvin Nyongesa, a civilian with no official role at the institution.
His arrest has raised questions about unauthorised access to examination centres.
Additionally, individual students from Magunga Secondary School, Sangailu Secondary School, and Sosiani Secondary School were arrested for their alleged involvement in exam irregularities.
Did Julius Ogamba warn against exam cheating?
Meanwhile, Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Migos Ogamba, while supervising exams in Kwale county, emphasised that individuals found guilty of malpractice would face personal accountability.
He clarified that the ministry would no longer impose blanket penalties on entire schools or classes due to the misconduct of a few, aiming instead to isolate and punish only those directly involved.
The crackdown came as more than 996,000 candidates across the country began their final secondary school examinations on November 3.
Source: Twitter
Why was Narok headteacher suspended?
Elsewhere, in Narok county, a headteacher was suspended following allegations of violating strict examination regulations.
The Narok Director of Education, Apollo Apuko, confirmed the disciplinary action, citing non-compliance with Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) guidelines.
In the interim, the deputy headteacher was appointed to oversee the administration of the KCSE exams pending the outcome of investigations.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
