Five individuals have been arrested for impersonating registered candidates during the ongoing Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examinations in different parts of the country.
Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba confirmed the arrests on Wednesday, saying the suspects were apprehended in Nairobi, Kisii, Bungoma, and Nakuru counties, following intensified surveillance by the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) and security agencies.
According to CS Ogamba, the impostors attempted to sit the national exams on behalf of genuine candidates in exchange for payment. He said the arrests highlight ongoing efforts by the Ministry of Education and KNEC to maintain the credibility and integrity of the examination process.
We will not tolerate any form of cheating or malpractice during these national exams. Anyone found aiding or participating in impersonation will face the full force of the law
Cs OgamboHe added that the ministry had strengthened exam monitoring mechanisms, including the use of biometric verification and digital tracking systems, to detect and deter such incidents.
Police have launched investigations to determine whether the arrested suspects are part of a wider examination fraud syndicate. Education officials have also issued warnings to school administrators and invigilators against collusion with criminals seeking to compromise the exams.
The arrests come as more than 996,000 candidates across the country sit for the 2025 KCSE exams, which began earlier this week. So far, the Ministry of Education says the exams have proceeded smoothly despite isolated cases of impersonation and attempted cheating.
CS Ogamba reiterated that the government remains committed to ensuring a transparent, fair, and credible examination exercise that upholds the country’s education standards.
