Despite the government’s efforts to minimize cheating in this year’s Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) exams, new allegations suggest that exam malpractice persists. Authorities have implemented strategies such as blocking social media sites like Telegram and monitoring WhatsApp groups, but old methods of collusion between school staff and exam officials seem to have reemerged.
One prominent case involves Kathiani Girls High School in Machakos, where the center manager has been accused of bribing supervisors and invigilators to facilitate cheating. According to a whistleblower report, the center manager allegedly influenced examination officials by offering weekly stipends in exchange for “candidate-friendly” oversight.
A brief video shows what appear to be handwritten questions and answers allegedly used in the scheme at the school. [Video: Courtesy]
The report, believed to be filed by an insider at the school, details how the manager approached supervisors and invigilators as exams began, allegedly encouraging them to cooperate by “helping the candidates.” The arrangement reportedly included weekly payments of Kshs. 2,500, paid in installments to those who followed the scheme’s instructions. These instructions allegedly involved tolerating cheating methods and assisting in the distribution of answers during exams.
The report also describes a network of school staff, including cooks and groundskeepers, who allegedly aided by slipping photocopied answer sheets to students. Students, in turn, would collect these materials during strategic bathroom breaks, often under the watchful eye of “friendly invigilators.” In some cases, answer sheets were reportedly passed through exam room windows or distributed by invigilators themselves.
To avoid leaving evidence, the answers were collected for disposal after use, with some discarded by candidates. While the specifics of the leaked exam papers have been withheld to protect the integrity of ongoing exams at the school , the report includes images of what appear to be handwritten questions and answers used in the alleged scheme. Attempts to reach the school Chief Principal Damaris Nzoka for a response have been unsuccessful, with her phone turned off and no reply to a letter of inquiry from The Weekly Vision.
In light of these events, Education Principal Secretary Belio Kipsang recently issued a stern warning to school administrators, reminding them that actions undermining exam integrity put students’ futures at risk. He disclosed that several incidents of teachers attempting to leak information to candidates have already been reported at three schools, cautioning principals about the dangers of interfering with exams.
“Interfering with the examinations is being suicidal,” the PS remarked, urging educators to prioritize students’ futures and maintain strict exam standards. The Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) and law enforcement are expected to investigate these allegations thoroughly.
