DP Gachagua's Directive to DCI Over KCSE Examination Papers

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has warned that those found to have aided in cheating and other exam irregularities will face the full force of the law.

Speaking on Friday, November 11, when he presided over the launch of the 2022 National Examinations Seasons at New Mitihani House in Nairobi, the Deputy President also said the ruling Kenya Kwanza administration will ensure that no candidate misses exams because of insecurity or lack of food.

Gachagua stated that the Directorate of Criminal Investigations has been directed to hunt for those purporting to sell examination papers on social sites and take action against culprits.

“We have asked the DCI to activate cybercrime detectives to look for those selling fake exam papers. Don't make any attempt to leak what you have been entrusted with because we will catch up with you,” he said.

He mentioned that the Government has formulated a plan bringing together multi-agencies to ensure exams were not interrupted in insecurity hotspots as well as coordinating distribution of food to those severely affected by hunger.

“We have mooted a multi-agency short-term plan of ensuring that schools in the hotspots are not interrupted. We will go an extra mile for every child in those areas to sit their exams as planned,” the DP said. 

Gachagua added, “We know that the ongoing drought has affected schools, especially day scholars who constitute around 70 percent of four secondary schools. In addition to the food distribution in arid and semi-arid areas, measures are being put in place to ensure students do not miss exams due to hunger." 

Thousands of candidates will be sitting the Kenya Certificate of Primary Education and Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education tests beginning at the end of this month. They will be the last group to be examined after the coronavirus interrupted the learning calendar in 2020.

The DP also said the Government will look into the welfare of Sub County Education directors urging the Ministry of Education to ensure the officers were well facilitated while discharging their duties.

“I have seen the agony they go through. We need to back them with facilities for them to provide meaningful supervision. The officers work hard and are patriotic,” said the DP.

He also expressed the government commitment to improve the living standards of Deputy County Commissioners and Assistant County Commissioners saying they deserved better houses and vehicles while on duty.