Man linked to sale of fake KCSE papers arrested

HOMA BAY: Police in Oyugis, Homa Bay County have arrested a man suspected of involvement in the sale of fake Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examination papers.

The man whose identity was not revealed by police is said to have been cornered after parents raised an alarm that he was purporting to sell them the papers.

Nyanza Regional Police Coordinator Charles Narangwe said the man is being held by police and is expected to shed more light on the incident. “We will work with all DCIOs in the region to nab anyone planning to steal from parents,” he said.

A parent in the county on Monday revealed to The Standard that a man had called him to inquire if he would need the papers for his son.

The cell phone number used to contact the parent was then forwarded to police who traced and arrested him at Oyugis town. Two other parents had also expressed fear that their children may be duped into the shady deals, calling on police to crack the whip on suspects. The parents who said they have been receiving calls from the crooks expressed fear that more parents may have been sucked into the illegal business.

EXAM CHEATS

Speaking to The Standard in Kisumu, a parent who did not wish to be named confessed he had been approached by a man who wanted to sell him some papers.

He said the suspects, who are believed to be based in Kisii and Oyugis, have been flocking towns and schools in the region to extort money from unsuspecting parents and students.

Meanwhile, KCSE candidates in Homa Bay have been told to avoid involvement in the alleged sale of examination papers in the area. Rachuonyo South sub-county Director of Education Sospeter Were told the candidates to ignore the allegations that examination papers were being sold in Oyugis town.

He told the students to concentrate on the knowledge they had acquired from their teachers in tackling the examination.

“I believe teachers had prepared their students for the examinations, hence they should be courageous instead of being worried that some of their colleagues may have received leaked papers,” Mr Were said.

Speaking to The Standard on phone, Were said it was wrong for the students to treat the alleged sale of the exam papers as truth.

He said the allegations had been reported to the police and investigations were ongoing.

“The allegations are there but police are carrying out investigations to find out whether they are true or false. But there is no cause for alarm as calm is prevailing in all schools,” Were said.

He assured residents that his office would communicate as soon as the investigations are complete.

He, however, warned teachers and students against cases of examination irregularities, saying stern measures will be taken against whoever is found culpable.