This archive report was first published on 6 November 2019.
Magoha Sustains War on Cartels as KCSE Exams Proceed ¶
Day one of the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) exams was marred by reports of cheating schemes, despite stringent measures to curb the vice.
Education Cabinet Secretary George Magoha warned those behind such plans of dire consequences, saying, "We are getting information that is not encouraging. Parents have collected massive sums of money," during a media address in Kisumu East.
Intelligence had revealed that cartels had identified examination officials to target for bribery to allow cheating in Nyanza.
Supervisors will be paid Sh120,000, invigilators Sh60,000, and security officers Sh40,000 in Kisumu, Homa Bay, Migori, and Kisii counties.
Magoha expressed his disappointment, saying, "I'm just taken aback because we had moved away from this kind of nonsense. Nobody should say they were not warned,"
Before the exams, counties in Nyanza had been flagged as possible cheating hotspots, alongside Machakos, Meru, Isiolo, Turkana, West Pokot, Kericho, Narok, Elgeyo-Marakwet, Bungoma, Garissa, Wajir, and Mandera.
During the Kenya Certificate of Primary Education examinations last week, eight people were arrested in Nyandarua County for engaging in malpractices.
Early Learning and Basic Education Principal Secretary Belio Kipsang said all examination containers should be opened at 6am.
Speaking in Mombasa, Dr Kipsang said a team had been dispatched to Tana River County to assess the status of a crucial road, adding, "We have a chopper on standby in case of any problem,"
Tragedy struck in Nakuru County, where a centre manager died in a road accident on the way to collect exam materials from Naivasha.
The accident occurred at Longonot on the Maai Mahiu-Naivasha Road when their vehicle rammed into a stationary lorry.
Two other centre managers were seriously injured and taken to Kijabe Mission Hospital.
Teachers Service Commission (TSC) Chief Executive Officer Nancy Macharia sent a message of condolences to the family of the deceased.
"The commission appreciates the commitment to duty of the three teachers and wish to reassure their families, friends, schools, and communities that the commission is with them during this period of pain and loss," said Ms Macharia in a statement.
Exams proceeded without a hitch in Narok County, where Interior CAS Patrick ole Ntutu supervised the opening of the container.
In Nyandarua County, principals were warned against hovering around exam rooms.
Ms Macharia said at least 56 teachers will face disciplinary action for KCPE exam malpractices.
Speaking in Nyeri Town, she also announced that TSC will reward teachers who will perform exemplarily during the examination period.
The rewards will be through promotions, an extra one month salary, or recommendation for consideration for the Presidential Award Scheme or national honours.
Security has been beefed up in all centres in the North Rift, with Baringo Central deputy county commissioner, Mr Reuben Ratemo, assuring that candidates will sit the exams without any interruption.
In Uasin Gishu County, journalists were denied access to Moi Girls High School in Eldoret, with County director of education Gitonga Mbaka urging them to move to other schools.
County commissioner Apollo Okello said security had been beefed up in West Pokot, where the county director of education, Mr Jacob Onyiego, said the heavy rains that affected KCPE last week had receded.
County Commissioner Joseph Kanyiri warned police at exam centres in Isiolo against posing for photos with candidates.
