Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba has issued a strong warning against any attempts to compromise the integrity of the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) exams, which began nationwide on Monday. Addressing officials and candidates at the launch in Kibera, Nairobi County, Ogamba emphasized that anyone caught participating in malpractice — whether a student, teacher, parent, or government official — will face legal consequences. “Anybody found engaging in exam malpractice will be arrested and prosecuted,” he stated firmly.
This year, 965,501 candidates are sitting for the exams across 10,754 centers, with increased security measures to prevent any leaks or misconduct. Surveillance is being conducted on social media platforms to track and act against sites falsely claiming access to exam materials. Ogamba reassured the public that all examination papers remain secure, debunking rumors of leaked papers.
New procedures are in place this year, including a rotation of supervisors weekly and the mandatory daily opening of exam containers at 7 a.m. to prevent early exposure to exam content. Exam officials are also prohibited from using mobile phones during the exams, with phones to be collected and locked up until the day’s exams are completed.
In response to regional challenges, CS Ogamba noted that special arrangements have been made to ensure exams proceed smoothly. In areas with security concerns, such as Tana River, exams are being held in safe locations like GSU camps. For flood-affected candidates, accommodations have been provided to ensure their safety and participation.
