Two people, including a director and principal of a private school, have been arraigned before an Eldoret court for running the school illegally and administering alleged fake KPSEA exams to pupils.
Margret Indaasi and Donald Lumwaji appeared before Chief Magistrate Dennis Mikoyani as police sought to detain them for 14 days to complete investigations into the case.
Investigations officer Inyasio Mwaniki, through an affidavit, told the court that the two were suspected to be the director and principal of Silver Bells Junior Academy, where the alleged crimes were committed.
“They are believed to have been operating the private school without authorisation from the Ministry of Education, and 23 innocent pupils missed sitting for their 2024 KPSEA exams," Mwaniki said in the affidavit.
He said suspected, unauthorised KPSEA exam papers believed to have been forged were recovered within the school stores.
Mwaniki said they needed time to record statements from witnesses, including parents and Ministry of Education officials, and also do verification of the recovered KPSEA papers.
He said they also needed time to obtain MPESA payment records and other details, which will enable them arrest other suspects involved.
Lawyer for the parents and learners, Stephen Ombega opposed supported the application to detain the suspects for 14 days arguing that the case was of great public interest and touched on the lives of innocent young children.
“This is a case of great public interest touching on the life of the innocent children who have failed to sit for exams and their future is at risk," Ombega said.
However, lawyer George Sonkule for the suspects objected to the application by the police, arguing that the suspects were not a flight risk and would be available when and where needed for investigations.
The investigation officer Mikoyani said he would deliver his ruling on the matter tomorrow.
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