Merishaw School ex-principal, examiner charged over KCSE cheating allegations
It is alleged that they unlawfully disclosed examination material to candidates sitting for English Paper 1 (101/1) Functional Writing Skills at a time when students across the country were undertaking the same paper
Former Merishaw School principal David Gideon Kariuki and the school’s examination hall operator, Alex Kasaine Kataiyo, have been arraigned before a Nairobi court over allegations of malpractice during the 2025 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examinations.
The two appeared before Milimani Resident Magistrate Joan Mutai this week on May 26, 2026, where they were expected to take a plea on charges of unlawfully interfering with the administration of the national examinations.
However, they were not required to plead after the court was informed that the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) had recalled the file for review.
The court was told that the DPP is currently reviewing the charges against the accused persons, prompting a postponement of plea taking to June 30, 2026.
The magistrate also ordered that the accused be released on a bond of Sh100,000 each with one contact person.
The prosecution had earlier requested a 60-day adjournment to allow time for ongoing considerations, including the possibility of a plea agreement or further review of the case by the State.
According to the charge sheet, the alleged offence occurred on November 3, 2025, at Merishaw School in Isinya Sub-County, Kajiado County.
The accused, who were responsible for the administration and supervision of the 2025 KCSE examinations at the institution, are said to have acted alongside others not before court.
It is alleged that they unlawfully disclosed examination material to candidates sitting for English Paper 1 (101/1) Functional Writing Skills at a time when students across the country were undertaking the same paper.
The prosecution further claims that the two interfered with the CCTV surveillance system within the examination centre in an attempt to facilitate cheating.
The case was initially scheduled for plea taking before Milimani Chief Magistrate Daisy Mutai on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, but proceedings were halted after the DPP requested additional time to review the charges.
During the court session, the prosecution informed the court that the State was still evaluating the matter and could potentially pursue a plea bargain or drop the charges depending on the outcome of the review.
“Your honour, the DPP is reviewing the charges against the accused persons. We therefore request a period of 60 days in which we will update the court on the plea bargain agreement and whether to drop the charges or not,” the prosecution submitted.
The matter will be mentioned again on June 30, 2026, when the court is expected to receive updates from the DPP on the direction of the case.
