The ongoing Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examinations have encountered a setback, with five people arrested for attempting to impersonate students during the exam. The arrests took place across Nairobi and other regions of the country, and were confirmed by the Ministry of Education. Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba, speaking during the official opening of the examination container at the office of Dagoretti Sub-County Deputy County Commissioner, strongly condemned the actions, labeling them a “foolish act” that undermines the integrity of the national examination process.
Ogamba emphasized the severity of the situation, noting that such acts jeopardize the future of the students involved. He further highlighted that this year’s KCSE examination scripts are individualized, each bearing a photo of the respective student. This development has made it easier to detect impersonation attempts. The Cabinet Secretary warned that any individuals, including teachers and other officials, found participating in or facilitating such fraudulent activities would face criminal charges and possible deregistration.
The Ministry of Education has deployed a multi-agency security team nationwide to safeguard the examination process and ensure accountability. In addition to this, Ogamba assured the public that all arrested culprits would be taken to court and legal action would be pursued. To maintain transparency, the Ministry will release weekly reports detailing the number of arrests made and the actions taken.
Despite these challenges, the examinations have continued largely without incident. Ogamba also provided updates on other aspects of the national education system. The Kenya Primary School Education Assessment, Kenya Intermediate Level Education Assessment, and the Kenya Junior School Education Assessment were all successfully concluded last week. Furthermore, the Kenya Pre-Vocational Level Education Assessment marked the first transition into Senior School under the Competency-Based Education (CBE) system, which will officially begin in 2026.
To address any logistical challenges, the Ministry is working in close collaboration with the Ministry of Interior and National Administration, disaster-response agencies, and county governments to ensure the secure delivery of exam materials across the country. Alternative transportation routes, temporary collection points, and even helicopters have been deployed to maintain the smooth conduct of exams, particularly in areas affected by weather disruptions. Ogamba reassured the public that no candidate would miss their exams due to logistical issues, stressing that the Ministry is committed to ensuring both the safety of the students and the integrity of the examination process.
