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Three Egerton University students posing as examination agents were yesterday charged before a Nairobi court with defrauding Kenyans millions of shillings through social media, pretending they were offering leaks into the 2022 national exams. 

Kelvin Anunda Mogaka, Francis Manyara Ogata and Brivin Osano Ombongi appeared before Milimani Chief Magistrate Wendy Kagendo where theyy denied 12 charges of conspiracy to defraud, publication of false information on social media (Telegram) and being in possession of identification cards belonging to five different people. 

The magistrate ordered each of them to be released on a bond of Sh1 million, with an alternative cash bail of Sh500,000 and two contact persons. 

“The prosecution is to supply the accused with all witness statement before the pre-trial date,” said the magistrate. 

The Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) is preparing to administer three tests for learners in Grade Six, Kenya Certificate of Primaty Education (KCPE) and Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE). 

The three students were allegedly claiming to have access to exam papers which they were offering to share with  the public at a fee. Investigations reveal that they were charging between Sh5,000 and Sh35,000 for each paper. 

Shared loot equally

 Prosecution claimed that the trio were arrested following a complaint lodged by different people who had been defrauded over Sh4 million, deposited in two different accounts. The three are said to have shared the loot equally.  

The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) arrested the three a day after KNEC warned the public against falling prey to fraudsters. 

In the first count, the three students are charged that on an unknown date and place in Kenya, they conspired to deceive the public through Telegram social media that there is a KNEC leak for 2022. 

On count two, Anunda was accused that on diverse dates between October 1 and 20, in an unknown place within Kenya, he published information through Telegram that they were offering KNEC papers for the year 2022.

Adunda was also charged with five counts of being in possession of identification cards belonging to Denis Makori Nyanga, Martin Gacheru  Wanjiru, Trevor  Wanyonyi, Bernard Kipyego Maiyo and Elijah Ogoti Nyamberi during his arrest on October 27. 

The trio urged the court to release them on reasonable bail terms as they are university students and will attend court as and when required. 

“I urge the court to release me on reasonable bail terms. I am a fourth year student studying Education without any source of income, “ said Osano. 

They told the court the offences they are facing are bailable, and that they are not a flight risk, besides co-operating with DCI detectives since their arrest on October 26. 

The pretrial is set for November 14. 

Meanwhile, KNEC has assured that the exams are secure, that nobody has access to them, and that all learners will see the papers on the same day and time, once they are opened in examination rooms.