23-Year-Old CRE Teacher Arrested For Leaking KCPE, KCSE Exams
The suspect Nicholas Ngumbau Kalewa alias ‘Mr Examiner’ who teaches Christian Religion Education (CRE) at St Lilian Academy in Gikambura village, was arrested following meticulous investigations by detectives
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A 23-year-old teacher from a school in Kiambu County has been arrested for alleging to be in possession of the forthcoming 2023 national examination papers for both primary and secondary school.
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) reported that the suspect Nicholas Ngumbau Kalewa alias ‘Mr Examiner’ who teaches Christian Religion Education (CRE) at St Lilian Academy in Gikambura village, was arrested following meticulous investigations by detectives attached to the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC).
The sleuths revealed that Mr Examiner had opened over 10 WhatsApp and Telegram accounts where he was hawking fake examination papers at Ksh1,500 per paper and Ksh2,000 for a complete examination paper with its marking scheme.
"In the typical conman’s language, he cautioned the over 900 parents and students in the group not to introduce other matters, as he was busy attending to those who were willing to buy," stated the DCI in part.
Screengrabs of messages and details of leaked national examination papers obtained by DCI on October 27, 2023. /DCI
“Avoid many stories in my inbox I have many clients,” said the religious education teacher in one of his curt responses seen and shared by detectives.
He further cautioned the group members to be wary of scammers, since he was the only one with legit papers.
DCI added that the suspect who had used a stolen identity card to register the SIM cards that he was using had also opened a bank account and provided a till pay-bill number where the money would be sent.
"The suspect’s plans were however nipped in the bud when detectives infiltrated the groups posing as students who had not done their revision and wanted to reap where they hadn’t sown.
"A manhunt for the suspect immediately followed leading to his arrest in Gikambura village, Kiambu County, where several SIM cards believed to be used in the fraud were also found in his possession," added the DCI.
The Ministry of Education, KNEC and DCI have put up elaborate mechanisms aimed at upholding the integrity of administering the forthcoming national examinations, to avoid cases of irregularities.
Notably, KNEC on Monday, October 23 had cautioned examination centre managers, or invigilators, against leaking national exam papers with unauthorised individuals including the candidates until the time of the exams.
"Please adhere to KNEC rules and regulations. Non-compliance will attract sanctions spelt out in KNEC Act," the council warned in part.
The Act indicates that centre managers found guilty of leaking exam papers face a fine not exceeding Ksh500,000 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding twelve months, or both.
The punishment affects individuals who gain access to examination materials and knowingly reveal the contents, whether orally or in writing, to any unauthorized party, whether a candidate or not and individuals who willfully and maliciously damage examination materials.
Others include individuals who not being registered to take a particular council examination, with intent to impersonate, present, or attempt to present themselves to take the part of an enrolled candidate, or those who possess or present a forged certificate or diploma.
