The Kenya National Examination Council (KNEC) has cautioned Kenyans to be wary of fraudsters purporting to change the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examination marks.
KNEC, in a brief statement on Thursday, December 5, dismissed reports that the national exams were being changed in favour of a few students who had paid for the services.
While clarifying the information, KNEC Chief Executive Officer David Njengere revealed that the documents circulated online purporting to invite students interested in changing marks were fake.
The examination council was forced to clarify the matter following reports that marks were being altered during the marking of KCSE exams..
According to the flagged post, a group of individuals reportedly partnered with an official who works at the KNEC offices to aid in changing marks for specific students.
“Grade changing is currently ongoing. We have partnered with an official from KNEC on consultancy,” read part of the fake post. While responding to the post, KNEC wrote, “Scam alert, beware of fraudsters and stay alert.”
KNEC’s announcement comes a week after examiners began marking KCSE exams that were completed on November 22. During a recent announcement, the Ministry of Education revealed that marking would be complete before the end of December.
However, the marking process has been marred by controversy after the Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) threatened to withdraw its teachers from the marking centres.
Speaking on Thursday, November 28, a KUPPET official presenting Siaya Branch, Sam Opondo, said that a section of teachers were allegedly humiliated and intimidated by the examination council.
He revealed that the union had received reports that a section of teachers was being ejected from the marking centres on grounds that they were involved in exam malpractice.
“Concerning what we consider as unmitigated mistreatment of our members who are involved in the marking of KCSE exams 2024. Some have been retired without reason, others are ejected from marking centres like criminals,” Opondo told the press.
“If KNEC wants to continue with this improper humiliation of our teachers, we are ready to take action, which includes calling our teachers to boycott the marking of KCSE exams,” Opondo added.