Former Merishaw School principal David Gideon Kariuki and the school’s examination hall operator Alex Kasaine Kataiyo have been arraigned in court over allegations of malpractice in the 2025 KCSE examination at the institution.

The two were slated for plea taking before Milimani Chief Magistrate Daisy Mutai on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, but did not plead to the charges lodged against them by the Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP).

This was after the DPP requested the court to defer the plea-taking, informing the court that there is an ongoing review of the charges by the State.

“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 to court.

Push for their release

Appearing before Magistrate Mutai, Kariuki’s lawyer urged the court to release him, arguing that he has a fixed abode and is not a flight risk, adding that his client has been cooperating with the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) officers during the investigations.

“Your honour, my client (Kariuki) is a long-serving public servant and also a former principal of Alliance High School. Kasaine’s place of abode is known. He has cooperated with investigations since last year when the probe started. I will ensure he attends court whenever he is required,” the defence lawyer submitted.

The State has not opposed to the release of the two on bond pending the ongoing review.

Plea taking deferred

Magistrate Mutai deferred the plea taking to June 30, 2026, and released the two on a personal bond of Ksh100,000 each with one contact person.

“In view of the DPP reviewing charges against the accused persons, I defer the plea taking to June 30, 2026. I free the accused persons on a bond of Ksh100,000 with one contact person,” Magistrate Mutai ruled.

According to the charge sheet, the two were to be charged with disclosing the content of an examination paper to a candidate without lawful authority contrary to section 28(b) of the KNEC Act Cap 214A.

The charge sheet states that on November 3, 2025, the two jointly with others not before the court being persons charged with supervision with administration allegedly disclosed English Paper 1 examination material functional writing skills to students during the conduct of the examination.

The matter will be mentioned on June 30, 2026.