Kenya National Examinations Council board disbanded

The government has disbanded the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) board over last year’s national exams cheating scandal.

Education Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i said former University of Nairobi Vice Chancellor George Magoha has been appointed as the new board chair.

According to Matiang’i, the action to disband the KNEC board was taken to restore its integrity.

“This decision was reached after a thorough review done by the Ministry of Education with assistance from the Interior Ministry. Parents and teachers should rest assured that the government cares for them,” said the Education CS.

“We found a lot of discrepancies in KNEC, we are here to support the Education Ministry to reduce criminality in KNEC,” said Interior CS Minister Joseph Nkaissery.

Nine officials of the board including the CEO Dr Joseph Kivilu have been ordered to record a statement explaining why action should not be taken against them.

Other officials include; Ms. Ambia G. Noor, Mr. Maundu Mantenzawa, Mr. Thomas McKenzie, Ms. Sarah Majani, Mr. Bobby Nyagah Mwai, Mr. Geoffery Gitogo, Mr. Michael Ndua and Mr. Richard Mwangangi.

KNEC has been on the spot over massive leakage during last year’s Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education exams, with fingers pointing at the council’s officers both at the county and head office in Nairobi.

However, Kivilu had downplayed the claims of exam leakage, saying the council was on top of things and that the so-called leakages were fake papers meant to swindle unprepared candidates.