Over 40 students, teachers arrested for alleged exam irregularities in Siaya

Apart from the students, police also arrested the school principal, Kenya National examinations Council supervisor, five invigilators, two laboratory assistants and a chemistry teacher.

Confirming the arrests, Siaya sub-county police commander, Benedict Mwangangi said the students together with the examination officials and teachers will have to record statements to aid in investigations.

According to Mwangangi, it all started in the morning when hawk-eyed examination officials and security officers noted an unusual gathering in one of the classrooms where 22 students had locked themselves in before the examinations.

The police boss said that upon storming into the classroom that was not an examination room, the officers found four cellphones after a thorough search.

“Upon scrutiny, it was found that the phones had leakages for Chemistry practicals that the students were meant to sit for today,” said the police commander adding that the phones also had Kiswahili paper 2 which was done on Thursday.

Mwangangi said that the examinations were shared in a Whatsapp group that had 42 students from Dibuoro Secondary School as members.

“We are yet to establish where the leakage emanated from but there is a suspect whom we are pursuing,” he said while addressing the media outside the police station.

Siaya Deputy County Commissioner, Enock Nyarango who led a team of security officials to the school called for vigilance amongst examination officials and centre managers when frisking students.

Nyarango reminded principals that no student was allowed to carry a phone into the school.

He however said the incident was isolated and assured the public that security officers will remain hawk-eyed to curb similar lapses.