Why university students top in exam cheating syndicate

University students are the masterminds behind a growing online examination scam syndicate that has been swindling unsuspecting Kenyans seeking shortcuts to academic success.

The Standard has established that since 2023, Directorate of Criminal Investigation(DCI) have arrested 11 students in connection with online fraud rings running social media channels promising access to leaked national examinations.

A record 3.4 million candidates are set to take three different tests even as the examination council moves to slash the number of police officers manning schools during the test.

The council insists on the need to test learners in a 'normal and conducive environment. 

Kenya National Examination Council (KNEC) data shows that four students from Rongo University have been apprehended for operating online networks that purported to sell fake national examination papers ahead of the tests. 

Other institutions where arrests have been made include Baringo Technical Institute, Rift Valley Technical Training Institute, Egerton University, Zetech University, Kabarak University, and Meru University, with each recording at least one student arrested over the scam.

“You will find that in most of these cases, the perpetrators are university students who use sophisticated digital means to defraud others. We coordinate with our counterparts across the country to ensure swift arrests and prosecution,” a DCI official told the Standard.

At the same time, 123 teachers are currently under investigation for their involvement in malpractice in the 2024 and 2025 examinations.

KNEC data shows 117 teachers are currently facing charges of malpractice for the 2024 KCSE examinations.

Similarly, six teachers, including two Principals were this week arrested over KCSE malpractice for allegedly taking photographs of examination materials and circulating them online in the examination that began on October 21 

At the same time, KNEC has flagged 51 social media channels on WhatsApp and Telegram suspected of circulating fake examination materials.

On August 25, the Council forwarded the list to the Communications Authority of Kenya (CAK) for action. So far, 32 of the channels have been shut down, while 19 remain active.

The revelations come as the country prepares to administer this year’s national examinations.

The Kenya Primary School Education Assessment (KPSEA) will be conducted from October 27 to 29.

The Kenya Junior School Education Assessment (KJSEA) will run from October 27 to November 3.

And the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) written exams will follow between November 4 and 21.

The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) says the mode of operation in these cases is almost identical with the suspects creating Telegram or WhatsApp groups to lure candidates and parents into sending money in exchange for fake materials. 

The DCI disclosed that detectives recently arrested a suspect in Buruburu, Nairobi, who was running one such online syndicate. 

Upon arrest, officers recovered four SIM cards, two laptops, six mobile phones, and a flash storage disk believed to contain digital evidence of the scam. 

The suspect is currently in custody and is expected to be arraigned on Tuesday.

Charges being prepared against him include false publication, impersonation, unlawful registration of identification documents, and obtaining money by false pretence.

To curb potential leaks and breaches, Knec chief executive Dr David Njengere said they are working closely with the National Police Service and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI).

KNEC further indicated that they are working to ensure smooth running of the examination with special attention focused on security situations in different regions and adverse weather conditions during the examination period during the short rains season.

“We are always prepared to make sure that we deliver examination materials to all centres on time. We use every available resource to ensure all candidates get their papers despite challenges,” Njengere said.

This year, the Council will deploy enhanced surveillance teams and emergency officers across the country to gather intelligence on any suspicious activities that might interfere with the examinations.

This comes amid the rollout of the first-ever junior secondary school assessment which will see removal of police officers from the school compound when conducting the Kenya Junior School Education Assessment (KJSEA).

The assessment will inform where students proceed to senior secondary school under the competency based curriculum.

A total of 1,130,669 candidates have registered for (KJSEA), as the first exit assessment at the end of junior secondary school.

On the other hand, Kenya Primary School Education Assessment (KPSEA)will involve 1,298,089 candidates registered. While 996,078 candidates are set to sit the 2025 KCSE exams.