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78 arrested over KCSE exam leaks as ministry enforces strict security measures
Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba said teachers, exam officials, or other personnel found complicit in examination malpractice risk dismissal, loss of professional credentials, and criminal charges.
What you need to know:
- Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba said the culprits will be prosecuted for their criminal acts.
- Teachers, exam officials, or other personnel found complicit in malpractice also risk dismissal and criminal charges.
At least 78 people have been arrested for leaking exams on social media among other malpractices as the 2025 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) enters its final week.
Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba noted that the culprits will be prosecuted for their criminal acts and the results of the implicated candidates will be cancelled in line with the provisions of the Kenya National Examinations Act, 2012, which proscribes fines, imprisonment, bans from future exams, among other punishments.
Teachers, exam officials, or other personnel found complicit in malpractice also risk dismissal, loss of professional credentials, and criminal charges.
“We have identified a few cases of individuals abusing social media platforms to expose the content of examinations in session. Our security agencies have been swift and have so far apprehended 78 individuals. Through evidence-led operations, more suspects will be arrested and subjected to the full force of the law. There have also been seven cases of impersonation, especially of adult candidates,” said Mr Ogamba said in a statement to newsrooms.
Mr Ogamba warned candidates against engaging in any form of malpractice, including sharing examination content on social media or attempting impersonation.
“Such candidates shall also be prohibited from taking an examination for a period not exceeding three years, as mandated by law,” he said.
Credibility of the examinations
The CS said, To safeguard the credibility of the examinations, the ministry has enforced strict protocols including mandatory armed escorts for examination materials during transit, prohibition of mobile phones within examination centres, and the use of official transport for secure movement of papers.
“We are taking every measure to safeguard the credibility of the examination process and the reputation of our education system by enforcing strict protocols including on the use of official transport for secure movement of materials, strict prohibition of mobile phones within examination centres, and mandatory armed security escort for centre managers during collection and return of examination materials,” he said.
Further, the ministry said that the examinations are largely proceeding smoothly. A total of 11,342 examiners have reported for marking the KJSEA in 24 designated marking centres, with 50 percent of the machine scoring for multiple-choice items already completed. The second week of KCSE administration has so far been marked by minimal malpractice, a reflection of strict enforcement measures put in place by the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) and security agencies.
“We have now progressed to the marking phase of this assessment. A total of 11,342 examiners have reported for marking of KJSEA in 24 designated marking centres. Machine scoring of the multiple-choice items is ongoing, with 50 percent of the work already completed,” he said.
Earlier this month, the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) has raised the alarm over the increasing use of Telegram channels to leak examination papers.
According to the August 2025 monitoring report, 18 active Telegram channels have been flagged by KNEC for circulating alleged KCSE and Kenya Accountants and Secretaries National Examinations Board (Kasneb) examination papers out of a total of 51 identified.
While laws exist to safeguard learners and promote accountability, the main challenge now lies in the conduct of education administrators.
