Silverio Omari
A man suspected of running a Telegram group to distribute leaked KCSE exam materials to parents and students has been arrested. Stephen Nyang’au Mbeche was apprehended by detectives from the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) and the Masaba North police following a surveillance operation.
Mbeche allegedly created a group titled “KCSE 2024 Leakage Group,” where he shared examination papers in exchange for payment, targeting both candidates and their parents. Photos from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) reveal the group had amassed 802 members, with Mbeche demanding upfront payments to provide the papers.
“All KCSE papers are with me right now. Big schools are already in touch with my papers. Join VIP channel earlier to compete with big schools in my VIP private channel. B+ and above is assured and guaranteed after payments,” reads one message from the group.
A search of Mbeche’s premises led to the seizure of a mobile phone and laptop, believed to be the primary tools he used in the operation. He is now being processed for prosecution, while authorities continue to track others involved in similar activities.
This arrest comes as the Ministry of Education assures the public that all incidents of malpractice will be thoroughly addressed. Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Migos has affirmed that any cheating detected in the ongoing KCSE exams will not impact the institutions where cases are identified.
During a visit to oversee the exams at Lang’ata Sub-County Headquarters on Monday, Migos stated that each case would be handled individually to hold the responsible parties accountable.
Recently, ten teachers from Pala Masogo Secondary School in Homa Bay were released on a Ksh. 2 million bond each after being charged with examination malpractice. The teachers were allegedly caught photocopying the 2024 KCSE Chemistry paper on November 6. Additionally, two students from Membley High School in Kiambu were found with unauthorized materials inside the examination hall. Ruiru DCC Julius Too reported that these students were discovered with mobile phones before the exam but were allowed to proceed after officials confirmed the paper had not leaked.
Dj Vnyash
