The Ministry of Education has confirmed the arrest of five people accused of impersonating students during the ongoing Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) exams, in what officials describe as a serious breach of exam integrity.
Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba, speaking in Nairobi on Wednesday morning, called the acts “foolish” and warned that anyone found aiding exam fraud would face the full force of the law.
“It is regrettable that a few individuals have attempted to engage in examination malpractice despite repeated warnings. This year’s examination scripts are personalised, with each paper carrying the student’s photo, so impersonation is both reckless and pointless,” said Ogamba.
The arrests were made in Nairobi and several other parts of the country, following a coordinated operation by security and education officials. Authorities say investigations are ongoing to uncover any broader network behind the cheating scheme.
CS Ogamba said those implicated, including teachers or exam supervisors, would face criminal charges and possible deregistration.
“We will not allow anyone to sabotage the future of our children or the credibility of Kenya’s certification system,” he said.
A multi-agency team has been deployed nationwide to protect exam materials and ensure accountability throughout the process. The Cabinet Secretary said weekly updates would be published to keep the public informed of arrests and disciplinary measures.
Despite the incidents, the ministry reported that the national exams were proceeding smoothly. Learners last week completed various assessments under the Competency-Based Education (CBE) framework, marking the transition to a new senior school structure.
The CS also announced that guidelines for implementing senior school education would be released soon to prepare schools for the first Grade 10 cohort in 2026.
The Education Ministry is working with the Ministry of Interior and county governments to ensure exam materials reach all centres, including areas affected by flooding. Helicopters and alternative transport routes have been deployed to guarantee timely deliveries.
“No candidate will miss their exam due to weather disruptions. We are committed to protecting both the safety of learners and the integrity of the process,” CS Ogamba assured.
KCSE examinations continue across the country, with students sitting Chemistry in the morning session and English in the afternoon.
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