Candidates found in possession of exam materials charged
Candidates sit for their fist KCSE paper on October 22, 2013. PHOTO | PETER WARUTUMO
What you need to know:
- The students denied being found in possession of KNEC year 2013 KCSE311/1 History and Government Paper 1
- The suspects were arrested following a tip-off that they had in their possession all the questions of paper they were to sit
Seven candidates from a secondary school in Nairobi allegedly found in possession of copies of a KCSE examination paper prior to the sitting of the exam were on Tuesday charged before a Makadara court.
The students from Twilight Secondary School in Kayole denied being found in possession of KNEC year 2013 KCSE311/1 History and Government Paper 1 examination “without lawful excuse.”
They are accused of being in possession of the exam paper at Twilight Secondary School on November 11 contrary to section 27 of the Kenya National Examination Council Act 2012 and were each released on a Sh10,000 bond pending trial on February 17. The prosecution has lined up five witnesses.
TIP OFF
The suspects were arrested following a tip-off that they had in their possession all the questions of paper they were to sit.
Outside the court room the students' parents demanded to know the fate of three others who were allegedly found with mobile phones which authorities confiscated and smashed.
Karanja, Akinyi Maina and Obonyo were further charged with being found in possession of information purporting to release the contents of the examination paper. They denied the charge.
The Kenya National Examination Council has expressed concern over increased cases of cheating that marred previous examinations saying those found engaging in irregularities will pay the full penalty. (READ: Knec blames varsity students for exam cheating)
The penal code though classifies examination offences as petty crime which carries penalties not exceeding Sh10,000.
