Exam official arrested in Marsabit over KCSE exam leak allegations

Marsabit County Police Commander Leonard Kimaiyo confirmed to Radio Citizen from his office that the arrest occurred around 4 p.m. on Monday.

Kimaiyo said officers from the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) apprehended the suspect after discovering eight copies of the Kiswahili literature exam paper in his possession.

Authorities are conducting additional investigations to determine the scope of the breach, with KNEC emphasising its commitment to upholding the integrity of the national examination process.

Meanwhile, thirteen teachers, including nine invigilators, are in police custody after being arrested for exam malpractice at Nyamninia Secondary School in Gem Yala sub-county.

The arrests occurred after candidates were discovered with photocopied answers to Mathematics Paper 2 during the ongoing Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) exams.

Those detained include the school's exam supervisor, a Board of Management (BOM) teacher from St. Mary's School Yala, Nyamninia Secondary School's centre manager, and his deputy.

The incident was reported by Kenya National Examination Council (KNEC) officials who were overseeing the KCSE exams.

According to the police report, KNEC officials observed suspicious behaviour among students when they visited the school around 10:15 a.m., during the Mathematics Paper 2 exam.

After conducting a search, officials discovered photocopied exam answers from both a candidate and the examination supervisor, Mr. Isaac Wesonga.

Several students were allegedly caught attempting to hide copies or destroy evidence, indicating a concerted effort to cheat.

A multi-agency team, led by Deputy County Commissioner Evans Otieno and the sub-county director of education, responded quickly to the scene, resulting in the arrests.

One invigilator reportedly escaped.

All suspects are currently held at Yala Police Station and are expected to be arraigned in court tomorrow to face charges related to the alleged exam malpractice.