MERU, Kenya — Detectives from the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) have arrested a fourth-year student from Meru University of Science and Technology, accused of running a sophisticated online scam that sold fake KNEC examination papers to unsuspecting buyers.
The suspect, Chrispinus Nandafu Naisuma, was arrested in Kianjai, Tigania West Sub-County, following a covert operation mounted by KNEC’s investigative unit in collaboration with the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI).
Authorities say Naisuma had for months operated an elaborate digital racket under the name “The Teacher’s KNEC Exam 2025.”
Investigators revealed that Naisuma managed the syndicate using multiple online identities — including aliases such as Dr. Ibrahim, Madam Salim, Chat GPT, and Violent Kathini Mwendwa — to lure students, teachers, and parents into buying counterfeit examination papers.
Victims reportedly paid for what they believed were leaked exam materials, only to receive fake or recycled documents.
A police source confirmed that during the arrest, detectives recovered 29 Airtel SIM cards, six mobile phones, two laptops, and several Safaricom and Telkom SIM cards believed to have been used to coordinate the fraudulent enterprise.
The electronic devices are currently undergoing forensic analysis to trace transactions and communications linked to the scheme.
“The suspect is being processed and will be arraigned once investigations are complete. We are pursuing several leads that could expose a wider network behind these academic fraud schemes,” said an officer familiar with the case.
The KNEC and DCI have since intensified a nationwide crackdown targeting syndicates peddling fake examination materials ahead of the 2025 national exams.
Officials reiterated that all genuine examination papers are handled under strict security protocols, warning Kenyans against falling for scams promising early access to KNEC exams.
“Examinations are a matter of national integrity,” a KNEC spokesperson emphasized. “Anyone engaging in or abetting exam malpractice will face the full force of the law.”
As investigations continue, authorities have urged members of the public to remain vigilant and to report suspicious activities to the nearest police station or through KNEC’s official channels.
The arrest underscores growing concern over digital academic fraud in Kenya, with education authorities pledging tighter surveillance and stiffer penalties for offenders exploiting technology to undermine examination integrity.
