Six Telegram group administrators have been arrested on suspicion of being involved in the ongoing Kenya Certificate of Secondary Examination malpractices.
Police started a multi-agency operation that included CAK officials and DCI officers from the Kenya National Examinations Council as well as all telecommunication service providers.
Over 32 social media platforms were discovered by the KNEC monitoring team as being utilized to share, sell, and post examination materials in violation of the KNEC Act and regulations.
The Communications Authority of Kenya recognized 32 suspect telegram platforms in October, 30 of which were active and had over 193,000 parents and pupils as members.
According to police, after the arrest of the first suspect, Mr Examiner, over 60,000 members deserted other groups, leaving a startling 130, 000 members actively participating.
The suspect worked as a CRE teacher at a Kiambu County private school.
According to police, by November 4, six more admins had coordinated the scam in sharing, selling, and posting test materials in several telegram groups.
DCI further stated that one of the suspects, known as Professor, ran one of the most sought-after telegram groups.
The group was called the Teacher’s Updates, and it had over 18,000 followers.
He told his group of teachers, parents, and students to “relax, we are here for you and will give you all the support you need.”
Police also detained two Thika Medical School students, aged 19 and 20.
Another 20-year-old administrator was apprehended while seeking customer assistance at a Safaricom store when a line she used to open her Telegram account was suspended.
The six were arraigned on Monday and charged with, among other things, false information dissemination.
