A fourth-year university student has been arrested in Tigania West Subcounty for allegedly running a sophisticated online syndicate involved in selling fake Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) exam papers. Detectives linked to the KNEC investigations unit conducted a planned operation that led to the suspect’s arrest in Kianjai, where he was found operating under multiple online identities.
According to investigators, the suspect was the mastermind behind an online network known as “The Teacher’s KNEC Exam 2025,” which targeted students, parents, and teachers with promises of leaked national examination papers. The syndicate used social media platforms and encrypted messaging channels to lure unsuspecting clients into purchasing counterfeit papers.
During the raid, officers recovered several incriminating items including six mobile phones, multiple SIM cards, and two laptops believed to have been used in orchestrating the fraudulent activities. The suspect is currently in custody and is expected to face charges related to cyber fraud and examination malpractice.
Authorities have intensified a national crackdown on individuals and groups involved in circulating fake examination materials. With the national examination period approaching, security agencies have raised concern over the growing number of online scams targeting desperate students and parents. These fraudulent dealers typically sell counterfeit “KNEC-confirmed” exam papers for amounts ranging between Sh500 and Sh10,000 depending on the subject and exam level.
KNEC has reassured the public that all official examinations are secure, emphasizing that no genuine exam papers can be accessed or leaked before the scheduled exam dates. The council has also warned that any possession, sharing, or use of fake exam materials is a serious offence that could result in prosecution, disqualification, or imprisonment.
Investigations have revealed that some of the operations behind these scams are highly organized, involving former teachers, cybercrime experts, and rogue insiders. These individuals exploit the anxiety and pressure surrounding national examinations, particularly among KCPE and KCSE candidates.
To safeguard the integrity of the exams, KNEC has strengthened its security measures, including digital tracking of exam containers, increased surveillance at printing facilities, and deployment of plainclothes officers during distribution. The public is urged to report any suspicious individuals or online activities linked to exam paper sales through official police hotlines or KNEC’s reporting channels.
