Kiambu: CRE teacher arrested for selling fake 2023 national exam papers

A Christian Religious Education (CRE) teacher posted in Kiambu County has been arrested for allegedly selling fake papers of the forthcoming primary and secondary national examinations.

Nicholas Ngumbau Kalewa, alias ‘Mr. Examiner’, a teacher at St. Lilian Academy in Gikambura village, is alleged to have opened over 10 WhatsApp and Telegram accounts where he was hawking the said papers.

According to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), Kalewa was selling each examination paper at Ksh.1,500 or Ksh.2,000 if it comes complete with its marking scheme.

“In the typical conman’s language, he cautioned the over 900 parents and students in the group not to introduce other matters, as he was busy attending to those who were willing to buy,” the DCI said in a statement.

“’Avoid many stories in my inbox I have many clients,’ said the religious education teacher in one of his curt responses seen by detectives.”

The investigative agency added that Kalewa claimed to be the only person in possession of legitimate papers, hence cautioned the group members to be cautious of anyone else purporting to do so, terming them scammers.

The suspect was nabbed after DCI detectives reportedly infiltrated his groups posing as students seeking to purchase the examination papers.

“A manhunt for the suspect immediately followed leading to his arrest in Gikambura village, Kiambu County, where several SIM cards believed to be used in the fraud were also found in his possession,” the State agency stated.

“The Ministry of Education, the Kenya National Examination Council (KNEC) and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations have put up elaborate mechanisms aimed at upholding the integrity of administering the forthcoming KIPSEA and KCSE examination, to avoid cases of irregularities.”