KNEC Press statement on administration day one KCSE Exams; 2 candidates die, 15 arrested in Nyanza and Western for alleged cheating
The Kenya National examinations Council chairman, Prof. George Magoha, on Monday (5/11/2018) gave a statement on execution of the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education Examination. In his address, Prof Magoha highlighted cases of attempted cheating in Nyanza and Western Regions that were blocked and culprits arrested. Reports indicate that one of the cases involved Monianku secondary school, in Gucha South Subcounty of Kisii County, Nyanza Region.
Here is the full press statement from the KNEC Chair:
“The Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) wishes to announce that the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examination kicked off smoothly in all parts of the country today.
As has been the case over the last two years, all the more than 664,550 candidates sat the Mathematics Paper 1 and Chemistry Paper 1 that had not been seen before by anyone, a further confirmation that the 2018 KCSE examination will not be leaked. However, the Council wishes to inform the country of the following incidents:
- An alert system, formidable KNEC guidelines and security measures put in place over the year today helped to detect, and nip in the bud, attempts to smuggle foreign materials into two examination centres – one in Nyanza and another in Western region. At least 15 people, including centre managers and invigilators of the two schools, were arrested and are in police custody arising from the two incidents. No candidate had been exposed to any foreign material by the time Council thwarted the ulterior motives.
- Two candidates – one from Murang’a and Nyamira – died on the first day of the KCSE examination in unfortunate circumstances. The council wishes to send its sincere message of condolences to the affected families and friends.
The Council advises parents, candidates and other stakeholders not to be duped into engaging in any activities that will compromise the ability of candidates to sit their examinations in a fair and stable environment. The Council reiterates that all measures have been put in place to ensure a credible examination and that anyone with an intention of cheating will be subjected to the full force of the law.”
The tests enter day two on Tuesday morning (6/11/2018)
It is alleged that at Monianku Secondary, 17 people were arrested among them a Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education examination supervisor, seven invigilators and Monianku Secondary School’s deputy principal over suspicion of exam malpractice. Some of the arrested suspects were found in a house next to the school compound with copies of a chemistry exam paper which was still going on at that time. Those nabbed by the police were: Mr John Mutende, (supervisor) and invigilators Mr Joel Omagwa, Ms Edna Morwabe, Mr Gideon Nyagaka, Mr Bernard Omoro, Mr John Abuta, Ms Ann Nyaboke, Mr Joel Nyakwanya and Monianku Secondary School Deputy Principal Peter Arori.
Photo (Courtesy of @sSiringi): Right; Nabbed exam cheating suspects at Monianku secondary School. Left; The photocopier that was used to duplicate the examination materials.
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