Ezekiel Machogu, the cabinet secretary for education, has disregarded allegations of irregularities in the 2022 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education exam, the results of which were officially released in January.

The performance of Kisii and Nyamia counties, which have drawn notice for their impressive results, has been exaggerated, according to Machogu, who appeared before the legislative Committee on Education on Thursday to provide replies about the Inquiry into the alleged malpractices.

PHOTO | COURTESY education CS Machogu

According to the CS, it has been shown in both traditional and social media that schools from particular counties received exceptional results. Particularly affected counties are those in Kisii and Nyamira.

"Contrary to this propaganda, Kisii and Nyamira counties actually had the least number of Grade As in the Nyanza region. Siaya County had the highest number of As in the Nyanza region with 72, followed by Homa Bay and Migori with 62 and Kisumu with 59. Kisii was the second last County in the region with 51As while Nyamira was the last County with 30As. Kiambu topped with 226As.” he added

Kenyans' reactions to the findings announced by Ezekiel Machogu, the Education Cabinet Secretary, on January 20 were divided, with some accusing Machogu of cheating. This came after certain counties' schools turned in solid performances.

PHOTO | COURTESY education CS Machogu

Examples include Nyambaria and Mobamba high schools in Nyamira County, which had all their 488 and 388 candidates get the minimal C+ grades needed for university admission. Mobimba's mean score increased from 5.11 in 2021 to 9.28 in last year's exam.

Kenya does worse on the high school exam than Tanzania and Uganda, claims Machogu. He said Nyambaria High School was being targeted unfairly because It had 28As. Regarding the number of those who scored As the school was position 13. adding that As a National School, Nyambaria High School admits pupils from the same schools as other national schools.

Machogu furthered that In earlier years, there were students who received 200 in the KCPE, and there was a student who received an A in the KCSE with 175 in the Magoha period. A student receiving a 400 in the KCPE but a C in the KCSE represents a new challenge that requires a fresh approach.