In response to the contentious release of the 2023 Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) results, the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) is advocating for a comprehensive audit. Stakeholders have expressed their concerns, and LSK Vice President Faith Odhiambo, representing the society, emphasized the imperative for the Kenya National Examination Council (KNEC) to address issues that have surfaced since the results were unveiled last Thursday, stating, “We demand immediate action.”
Errors and Inconsistencies:
The examination body, KNEC, is facing criticism with multiple complaints highlighting inconsistencies and errors in the released KCPE results. Notably, instances of identical marks for a subject within entire classes have been flagged. In response to this concern, KNEC clarified that identical marks do not necessarily indicate cheating or irregularities but acknowledged salient issues impacting the overall outcome. This admission underscores their commitment to transparency and accuracy.
Delays and Frustrations:
Compounding concerns were delays in the short code SMS platform, which KNEC declared it was investigating. The mishap in this platform further frustrated candidates and their families, particularly distressing with the pending festive season approaching. Faith Odhiambo underscored the urgent need for KNEC to accelerate the resolution of these issues, emphasizing that doing so would instill renewed confidence in the examination process.
Credibility Under Scrutiny:
Highlighting the historical credibility of KNEC in administering reliable and trustworthy examinations, Faith Odhiambo expressed concern about the recent handling of the KCPE results potentially questioning the council’s credibility. With the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) currently underway, she fervently urged KNEC to swiftly address any raised discrepancies to maintain public trust in the examination system.
Parliamentary Involvement:
Members of Parliament, Julius Melly and Timothy Kipchumba Toroitich, have expressed their concerns over the irregularities in KCPE results. They plan to summon Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu for an explanation regarding what appears to be incompetence during the examination process. As the chairperson of the National Assembly Education Committee, Melly emphasizes the necessity of a comprehensive investigation into both the fairness and credibility of the announced outcomes.
