The government has stepped up its crackdown on examination malpractice, deploying tighter surveillance, restricting access to mobile phones at examination centres and pursuing suspects accused of attempting to compromise the integrity of national examinations.
The latest operation has led to the arrest of John Odhiambo Opiyo at Kibabii University in Bungoma County, where a mobile phone containing suspected evidence was reportedly recovered.
The handset is being processed as investigators prepare an inventory before the suspect is booked at Bungoma Police Station, according to information from security officers familiar with the operation.
In a separate development, suspected examination malpractice incidents reported in Garissa and Wajir counties were detected, with the Regional Criminal Investigations Officer in the North Eastern region taking appropriate action.
The developments come as more than one million candidates sit the 2026 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examinations, amid renewed efforts by the Ministry of Education, the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) and security agencies to prevent examination papers from leaking and stop candidates from accessing unauthorised assistance.
Phones emerge as a major cheating risk
One of the key measures introduced this year is a strict restriction on mobile phones and smart devices at examination centres.
KNEC has directed that everyone within an examination centre, including teachers, support staff and other personnel, surrender their mobile phones once examination materials arrive.
The devices are to be switched off and kept in secure, lockable storage outside examination rooms.
KNEC Chief Executive Officer David Njengere has identified mobile phones as one of the biggest threats to examination security, warning that anyone found with a phone during an examination session risks being treated as having committed malpractice.
Speaking ahead of the examinations, Njengere said the directive applied to candidates and all officials involved in administering the tests.
“There is absolutely no need to cheat, as this may lead to serious consequences, including cancellation of examination results,” he said in a warning to candidates.
The council has also appealed to parents of day scholars to ensure their children do not carry mobile phones to examination centres.
Smart technology to secure examination papers
Beyond restricting phones, KNEC has expanded the use of technology to monitor the movement and storage of examination materials.
All examination storage containers are being secured using smart padlocks monitored from the council’s headquarters in Nairobi.
The system sends real-time alerts when a container is opened, locked or interfered with, allowing officials to monitor access to examination papers and identify suspicious activity.
The technology was initially piloted in 250 containers in 2025 before being rolled out across all examination storage locations this year.
Njengere said the system was intended to strengthen accountability and prevent unauthorised access to examination materials before scheduled opening times.
KNEC has also introduced colour-coded cartons to distinguish morning and afternoon examination papers, reducing the risk of mix-ups during distribution.
Morning papers are packed in cartons with white labels and blue straps, while afternoon papers have yellow labels and black straps.
Another security measure involves personalising examination papers with candidates’ details. The additional security features make it easier for investigators to trace the source and location of a paper if it is photographed and circulated before the examination.
After the examination, the section bearing candidates’ personal details is removed before scripts are sent for marking, preserving anonymity during assessment.
Police deployed to examination centres
The government has also increased security personnel involved in the administration of national examinations.
At least two police officers are deployed to every KCSE examination centre, while officers also guard examination storage containers and escort the transportation of papers to schools.
According to figures released by the Ministry of Education, 104,553 personnel have been deployed to oversee the 2026 KCSE examinations.
The team comprises 10,765 centre managers, 12,274 supervisors, 57,432 invigilators, 21,388 security officers and 2,694 other personnel.
KNEC has also established a 24-hour toll-free call centre to enable candidates, examination officials and members of the public to report suspected malpractice and seek assistance.
The measures are intended to ensure that examination materials reach centres securely and are opened only at the designated times.
Government warns parents, teachers against fraudsters
Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo has warned parents and teachers against individuals claiming they can obtain examination papers before scheduled examinations in exchange for money.
He said security agencies were monitoring those attempting to exploit candidates and their families through promises of leaked papers.
“Do not fall into the trap of people who want to make quick money by lying to you that they can steal examination papers for you. When you do that, you are not just ruining the lives of our children, but also your own life as a parent and as a professional teacher,” Omollo said.
He maintained that the Government would not allow examination fraud to undermine investments in the education sector.
“We cannot cheat or play games with the lives of our children and the future of this country,” he said.
Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba has also warned examination centre managers, supervisors, invigilators and other officials against colluding with candidates to facilitate cheating.
Ogamba said the Government would not tolerate malpractice in any form and that those found culpable would face criminal or administrative action.
“The government will not tolerate any examination malpractice in any form or manner. Centre managers, supervisors, invigilators and all officials entrusted with the administration of examinations and assessments must discharge their responsibilities with the highest standards of integrity and professionalism,” he said.
Previous crackdown led to arrests and cancellation of results
The current measures build on enforcement operations conducted during the 2025 national examinations, when security agencies arrested dozens of people suspected of involvement in examination malpractice.
The cases included alleged circulation of examination content on social media, impersonation, possession of unauthorised materials and collusion involving candidates and examination officials.
KNEC subsequently cancelled the results of 1,180 candidates found to have been involved in examination irregularities during the 2025 KCSE examinations.
The figure was higher than the 840 candidates whose results were cancelled in the 2024 examination.
The arrests and cancellations underline the consequences facing candidates and officials who attempt to compromise national examinations.
With the 2026 KCSE examinations underway, authorities have warned that investigations will continue, including the pursuit of individuals suspected of sharing examination content or facilitating cheating through mobile phones and online platforms.
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