Telegram shut down in Kenya to stop cheating at the KCSE Exams

The Kenyan Government has shutdown the Telegram Social media platform in a bid to stop cheating at the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education, KCSE, Examinations. This is after it emerged that the popular social media platform was being used to aid cheating at the National tests.

In October, the Communications Authority of Kenya listed the 32 suspicious telegram platforms, 30 of which were active with a membership of over 193,000 parents and students.

Six social media admins for various Telegram sites involved in examination malpractices in the ongoing KCSE national examinations have been arrested in the ongoing crackdown on perpetrators.

The multi-agency operation by CAK officers, DCI officers attached to KNEC and all telecommunication service providers was launched after the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) monitoring team identified over 32 social media (SM) platforms being used to share, sell and post examination materials in violation of KNEC Act and regulations.

In a letter to the Communications Authority of Kenya dated October 19, 2023 that was copied to security agencies, the Deputy Director, Legal Service Division of KNEC Mr Befly Jemurgor Bisem listed the 32 suspicious telegram platforms, 30 of which were active with a membership of over 193,000 parents & students.

Police said after arresting the first suspect, Mr Examiner, over 60,000 members left various groups, leaving active participation of a staggering 130, 000 members.

The suspect was a CRE teacher at a private school in Kiambu County.

Police said by November 4, six more admins coordinated the fraudulence in sharing, selling and posting examination materials in different telegram groups

DCI added that among the suspects famously known as Professor operated one of the most sought-after telegram groups.

The group was known as the Teacher’s Updates – with a following of more than 18,000 people.

In his group, he called upon teachers, parents and students to “relax, we are here for you and will give you all the support you need”

Police also arrested two students from Thika Medical School one aged 19 and 20.

Another 20-year-old admin was also netted as she sought customer care services at a Safaricom shop after a line she had used in opening her telegram account was suspended.

The six were arraigned on Monday and charged with, among other offences, the publication of false information.

The crackdown continues.