Six KCPE exam officials charged in Machakos

Six officers who were manning Ivumbuni Primary School KCPE examination centre in Machakos County have been charged in a Machakos court over examination irregularities.

The six, who include Examination Centre Manager, Joash Munyao, supervisor Sharon Kamene and invigilators Elizabeth Nduku, Fredrick Makau, Catherine Nyamai and Caroline Mwangi appeared before Senior Resident Magistrate Sharon Bartoo.

They were charged with the offence of committing an examination irregularity contrary to Section 40A of Kenya National Examinations Council (Knec) Act No. 29 of 2012 laws of Kenya.

The charges against them stated that on October 31 2019 at Ivumbuni Primary School examination centre in Machakos County, being officers assigned to man KCPE examinations of 2019, jointly failed to seal the examination polythene bag containing the Day Three Social Studies candidates answer scripts after the end of the said examination as required in contravention of the said Act.

All the six officers, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges. State prosecutor told the court he had not received any affidavit from the investigating officer opposing the granting of bail to the accused persons.

They were released on Sh200,000 bond and one surety of similar amount each, or an alternative Sh100,000 cash bail.

The court also directed that they be supplied with statements that the State intends to rely on in the case. They were ordered to appear before the same court on November 7 for a mention of the case.

The four were arrested on Thursday after the examination officer manning the distribution centre, Bernard Nthiwa discovered that answer sheets for the Social Studies paper had not been sealed. It was the last paper in the just concluded KCPE examination.