Three university students have been arrested over alleged examination irregularities at a private examination centre domiciled at Kericho Day Secondary School in Kericho County.
The suspects were identified as Duncan Kikemoi Kipkirui from Kenyatta University and Amos Korir Kipyegon and Desmond Kipkorir Bett, both from Kabianga University.
Kericho County Director of Education, Mr. Julius Ngoneshi, confirmed that the trio were impostors and not registered candidates at the centre or students of Kericho Day Secondary School.
Ngoneshi clarified that none of the genuine candidates sitting for their Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) exams at the institution were involved, adding that the arrests followed a detailed verification exercise by a multi-agency team comprising education officers, examination supervisors, and security personnel.
He assured parents, teachers, and the public that examinations at the centre were proceeding smoothly and without irregularities.
The private centre, he said, has 94 registered candidates from across the county, 54 from Bureti Sub-County and 40 from Kericho East Sub-County.
The County Director explained that the centre caters to private candidates, including those enrolled in Adult and Continuing Education (ACE) programmes and individuals retaking one or more subjects to improve their academic credentials.
“If someone had previously failed in one subject, they are given the opportunity to enhance their certificate by retaking that specific paper. This initiative aligns with the government’s broader strategy to promote lifelong learning and inclusivity in education,” Ngoneshi said.
He noted that the distribution of examination materials had been enhanced after all schools were mapped to their nearest sub-counties with designated collection centres to minimise logistical delays.
However, he cited heavy rains and poor road conditions in areas such as Soin Sigowet and Kipkelion as having slightly hindered transportation of examination materials, though contingency plans were swiftly implemented to ensure timely delivery to all centres.
Ngoneshi further revealed that the Ministry of Education, in collaboration with health authorities, had made special arrangements for hospitalised candidates to sit for their exams from medical facilities such as Kericho County Referral Hospital and AIC Litein Mission Hospital.
He reiterated the government’s unwavering commitment to uphold integrity, transparency, and fairness in the ongoing KCSE examinations to safeguard the credibility of the country’s education system and ensure that every learner is accorded an equal opportunity to excel based on merit.
By Kibe Mburu and Hillary Kemei
