By Francis Orina
National examination centre managers, supervisors and invigilators in Nyamira County have raised concerns over alleged harassment and intimidation by officials from the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) during the administration of national examinations.
The officials called for greater professionalism and respect in the management of examinations, saying those deployed to centres should conduct themselves with integrity and observe established procedures.
Also Read
The concerns were raised at Senator Kebaso High School during a multi-agency briefing on rules and regulations governing the administration of this year’s national examinations.
Led by Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) Secretary-General Evans Obiri, the officials urged the Ministry of Education and KNEC to deploy officers who would facilitate the examination process professionally rather than create unnecessary tension at centres.
Kenya Secondary Schools Heads Association (KESSHA) chairman George Onkundi said school heads and examination officials had experienced difficult encounters with some officers in previous examinations.
Onkundi claimed that some officials had previously arrived at examination centres without proper identification, entered examination rooms and allegedly subjected centre managers to intimidation.
He further alleged that some officers had demanded bribes before leaving examination centres.
“Officials would come to an examination centre without proper identification, get into the examination room, harass the centre managers and even ask for bribes before leaving,” Onkundi said.
He said the pressure surrounding national examinations often made it difficult for school heads and supervisors to challenge officers whose identity they were unable to immediately verify.
“During examinations, the moments are so tense that principals and supervisors are unable to verify their identity,” Onkundi said.
The concerns echo complaints previously raised in Parliament by West Mugirango MP Stephen Mogaka over the conduct of some KNEC officials during examinations in Nyamira.
In November 2023, Mogaka told the National Assembly that he had received complaints about the treatment of candidates in some schools in his constituency and criticised KNEC over the alleged conduct of its officers.
“I condemn the conduct of KNEC in the strongest words possible,” Mogaka told Parliament, while alleging that officials had targeted certain schools in Nyamira.
His intervention followed concerns over how some candidates were searched before entering examination rooms, with Mogaka specifically raising the issue of girls being subjected to searches by male officials.
Nyamira County Commissioner Benson Lepalmorijo assured examination officials that the government would support them in ensuring a smooth examination process.
He urged centre managers, supervisors and invigilators to report any suspicious incidents or individuals to the relevant authorities.
The briefing comes as schools across the country prepare for the national examination period, with education officials expected to maintain tight security and adherence to examination rules to protect the integrity of the process.
