The Ministry of Education led by the Acting Education Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiangi through the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) on Wednesday canceled the 2017 KCSE results of nine schools as a result of cheating.

The drastic action by KNEC came after a month-long investigation by the government into cases of cheating across the country during the 2017 KCSE examinations.

Thorough investigations

KNEC CEO Prof George Mahoga while announcing the move, said a total of 1205 students across nine of the 10 schools have had their results cancelled after the extensive investigations.

All candidates in one of the schools accused of collusion were cleared of all allegations and had their results released.

According to the KNEC CEO, some of the students were found to be in possession of phones with examination materials while others smuggled unauthorized materials in the exam rooms.

"In 8 centers, collusion was detected where responses given to answers were identical. Additionally, the answers given were wrong," Magoha stated.

Lifeline

However, Mahoha gave a lifeline to those students whose results were cancelled by allowing them to register for this year's exams.

The KNEC CEO extended this year's exam registration deadline to February 28 to allow for the candidates to register.

"Our aim is not to punish the students but to reform them," Magoha added.