KCSE storm: Kisii MPs accuse Knec authorities of unfair profiling.
MPs drawn from Gusii community have come to the defence of students in the two counties accusing the examinations council of unduly profiling the region.
The lawmakers claimed the cases of irregularities being reported from the Kisii and Nyamira counties are not only blown out of proportion, but also a ploy by some people to undermine Education CS Ezekiel Machogu.
The over 10 legislators led by National Assembly Chief Whip Silvanus Osoro, condemned what they termed indecent handling of candidates disguised as frisking.
The South Mugirango MP said Gusii region has been subjected to un-called for frisking because of being the home counties of Machogu.
“We are wondering whether some people want to embarrass CS Machogu since he comes from the Gusii region, or some people are jealous that the region produced the best school nationally in KCSE exam, and would like to see our children failing,” Osoro said.
Speaking at Parliament Buildings, the MPs claimed the region is unfairly targeted for producing some of the top performers in the last national exam.
Nyamira and Kisii counties have recorded incidences of exams cheating leading to suspension of some supervisors and centre managers.
But speaking to the Star in confidence, a senior Kenya National Examinations Council official dismissed the lawmakers’ claims saying they have evidence of cheating in their possession.
The source however explained that the cases of stealing were in isolated centres and not the whole region.
“If you get an invigilator or student with a phone and when you go through you find exams, what should you do? The law is very clear that only Centre Managers should have a phone. I have also seen the MPs fighting back but we must do our work,” the official told the Star.
Nyambaria High School, which topped the country’s 2022 examination, went on rampage on Tuesday chasing away examination officials citing harassment and intimidation.
According to the exams officials, the school in Nyamira was involved in examination malpractices.
In Parliament, the Gusii lawmakers vowed they will not sit and watch as innocent students are being harassed in their backyards.
Osoro cited Nyathwoni Secondary School where he claimed Knec officials frogmatched the Centre Manager, disrupting the national exercise at the institution.
Centre Managers are the school head teachers.
Kitutu Masaba MP Clive Gisairo, claimed in some cases, students were stripped naked, a matter he noted is unacceptable.
“While we acknowledge importance of safeguarding the integrity of the examinations, we vehemently assert that this should never come at the expense of the human dignity and rights of the students.
Every student deserves to be treated with respect, fairness and dignity, regardless of their background or region,” Gisairo said.
According Kisii Woman Representative Doris Aburi, some examination officials deployed in the region has resorted to witch-hunt and a violation of the fundamental rights of the students.
She said the happenings have created an atmosphere of fear and intimidation, hindering their ability to excel in the tests.
The MP called for a thorough probe on all the officials behind the disturbing incidents.
Nyamira Woman Rep Jerusha Momanyi said what is happening in Kisii and Nyamira is intimidation which must end.
“We would like to know the intention of this exams officials, how do you justify stripping students naked to check on them, who has sent this people to do this since we have not seen this happening in other parts of the country, we are not going to allow this to happen under our watch,”’ Momanyi said.
Bobasi MP Innocent Obiri said the students from Kisii and Nyamira schools are hardworking and what is going on is meant to portray the community as using dubious means to excel in exams.
