On November 4, authorities detained eight teachers from Pala Masogo Secondary School in Homa Bay Sub-County for allegedly engaging in examination malpractice. The teachers were caught photocopying chemistry examination papers on the school premises, raising serious concerns about integrity in the national exam process.

However, it was later revealed that the photocopied exam papers were intended for a student who was hospitalized at the time. Among those arrested were school teachers, the examination center manager, and several invigilators. Homa Bay Sub-County Police Commander Emmanuel Kiplagat confirmed that evidence, including the photocopied papers, has been collected for the ongoing investigation.

This incident sheds light on the persistent challenges the Ministry of Education faces regarding examination integrity, as malpractices have become increasingly common in recent years among both students and invigilators.

In response to the situation, senior government officials from various ministries, led by Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba, were deployed to oversee the Form Four national examinations. With approximately 965,000 candidates taking part, Ogamba issued a stern warning against any forms of examination malpractice, emphasizing that anyone caught would face severe legal consequences.

“Anyone involved in exam malpractice will be arrested and prosecuted without exception,” Ogamba stated, urging the Judiciary to expedite the handling of cases to ensure swift justice for those involved in such activities.

The KCSE examinations this year have faced several challenges. In a separate incident, a 19-year-old candidate from Ebubere Secondary School tragically passed away on the morning of his exams, leaving his family in shock as he had left home in good health. Just a day earlier, another student from Tigania West, Meru County, died just hours before his first exam, highlighting the emotional toll this examination period has taken on many students and their families.