At least five people have been arrested in Nairobi and other parts of Kenya for allegedly impersonating candidates in the ongoing Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examinations. The Ministry of Education confirmed the arrests and said strict action would follow against anyone attempting to compromise the credibility of the national exams.
Speaking on Wednesday morning during the official opening of the examination container at the Dagoretti Sub-County Deputy County Commissioner’s office, Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba strongly condemned the incidents, calling them a “foolish act.” He said such behavior undermines the credibility of Kenya’s examination process and risks damaging students’ futures.
“Regrettably, a few individuals have attempted to engage in examination malpractice despite repeated warnings,” said Ogamba. “For instance, there are situations in Nairobi and other parts of the country where five or so people were arrested impersonating as students. When we’ve indicated very clearly that this year’s examination scripts are individualised in the sense that there is an actual photo of the student on the script.”
How is the Ministry Responding to KCSE Exam Malpractice?
The Education CS said those found guilty, including any teachers or officials involved, will face deregistration and criminal charges. He stressed that the ministry would not “allow anyone to sabotage the future of our children or the global reputation of our national certification system.”
Ogamba added that a multi-agency security team has been deployed across the country to secure exam materials and ensure accountability throughout the process. “I’ve had all these culprits arrested, and they’ll be appearing in court, and criminal legal action is being taken against them. Every Friday, we shall release a report to indicate how many have been arrested, where and what action has been taken,” he said.
What Else Is Happening in Kenya’s Exam Season?
Despite these incidents, the ministry reported that this year’s national exams are progressing smoothly. Learners recently completed various assessments, including the Kenya Primary School Education Assessment (KPSEA), Kenya Junior School Education Assessment (KJSEA), and Kenya Intermediate Level Education Assessment. The KJSEA marked the first transition to senior school under the Competency-Based Education (CBE) system.
“As part of the transition into Senior School in 2026, we will shortly release the Guidelines for the Implementation of Senior School Education,” Ogamba said, noting that schools must be ready to receive the first CBE cohort progressing into Grade 10.
The Ministry of Education, working with the Ministry of Interior, county governments, and disaster-response agencies, has activated alternative transport routes and even deployed helicopters to ensure that exam materials reach all areas safely. “We assure all Kenyans that no candidate will miss their examination due to weather disruptions. We will protect both the safety of learners and the integrity of the exam process under all circumstances,” Ogamba stated.
The KCSE examinations continue nationwide, with candidates sitting for the Chemistry paper in the morning and the English paper in the afternoon as the ministry reinforces its stance on transparency, fairness, and national integrity.
By Modester Nasimiyu