Knec board suspends 9 senior managers over test leakage  

What you need to know:

  • Nine senior managers at the Kenya National Examination Council (KNEC), including chief executive officer Joseph Kivilu, were on Tuesday suspended to pave way for investigations into allegations involving irregularities in last year’s national exams.
  • They were suspended at mid-day by the new board, which was constituted on Friday after the previous one headed by Prof Kabiru Kinyanjui was disbanded.
  • Mr David Gachanja, who has been a director for administration and human resource department, was appointed the acting CEO.

  • The board, chaired by former University of Nairobi Vice-chancellor Prof George Magoha, was inaugurated on Tuesday at Jogoo House by Education Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i before holding its first meeting.

Nine senior managers at the Kenya National Examination Council (KNEC), including chief executive officer Joseph Kivilu, were on Tuesday suspended to pave way for investigations into allegations involving irregularities in last year’s national exams.

They were suspended at mid-day by the new board, which was constituted on Friday after the previous one headed by Prof Kabiru Kinyanjui was disbanded.

Mr David Gachanja, who has been a director for administration and human resource department, was appointed the acting CEO.

The board, chaired by former University of Nairobi Vice-chancellor Prof George Magoha, was inaugurated on Tuesday at Jogoo House by Education Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i before holding its first meeting.

Sources also said two other officers in test development department had been suspended. Dr Kivilu confirmed that the officers had been told to step aside and ordered to hand over immediately.

“The board had its meeting on Tuesday and gave us suspension letters. We were also ordered to hand over but due to the short notice we will do so on Wednesday,” said Dr Kivilu.

Those suspended are Ms Ambia G Noor (senior deputy secretary, examinations), Mr Maundu Mantenzawa (deputy secretary, security), Mr Thomas MacKenzie (principal examinations secretary), Ms Sarah Majani (senior deputy secretary, reprographics).

Others are Mr Bobby Nyagah Mwai (senior deputy secretary), Mr Geoffrey Gitogo (senior deputy secretary in charge of ICT), Mr Michael Ndua (principal supply chain management officer) and Mr Richard Mwangangi (deputy secretary).

RECORDED STATEMENTS

The officers have since recorded statements with the police in relation to the irregularities while all Knec senior staff would be vetted by a new board to determine their suitability.

The officers have been accused of being involved in examination irregularities that saw the results of 2,709 KCPE candidates and 5,100 in KCSE cancelled.

According to the Knec Act 2012, the Chief Executive Officer can be removed from office by the council for inability to perform functions of the office arising out of physical or mental incapacity, gross misconduct, bankruptcy, or incompetence.

Before removal, the Chief Executive Officer has to be suspended from office by the council, which is required to inform him in writing of the reasons for the intended removal. He is given an opportunity to put in a defence against any such allegations.

The new board consists of Education Principal Secretary Dr Bellio Kipsang and National Treasury Principal Secretary Dr Kamau Thuge.

Others members are Dr Julius Jwan, Nancy Macharia, Martin Osangiri Okiyo, Rosemanry Saina, Dr John Onsite and Pius Mutisya.