Belio urges vigilance in schools after fatal stabbing of candidate

Basic Education Principal Secretary Belio Kipsang has called for heightened vigilance in schools after a KCSE candidate was fatally stabbed at Shiners Boys High School in Nakuru on Saturday night.

Terming the incident “unfortunate,” Kipsang urged teachers and school administrators to improve intelligence gathering and surveillance. “Teachers should work closely with student leaders to gather information on potential threats,” he said.

Kipsang made the remarks in Nakuru, where he observed the opening of KCSE examination papers and visited a school in Nakuru West Sub-County to oversee the start of the exams.

His call comes as police made four more arrests related to the incident, bringing the total number of students detained to eight. The arrests were confirmed by Gilgil Sub-County Police Commander Winston Mwakio.

Kipsang accused the school management for laxity in enforcing discipline, saying enhanced surveillance is essential to preempt serious incidents like strikes, arson and even violence.

“Schools must implement strict measures and instilling discipline,” he stated.

Kipsang, however, commended the school administration and security agencies for promptly managing the situation to prevent further escalation. He assured that examinations would continue for all students, including those in custody, as it is their right to participate.

He also reassured parents that a multi-agency team will work to strengthen school security measures.

Addressing reports of pregnant students, he clarified that they are not compelled to sit exams in adverse conditions.

“We ensure these girls are assessed by doctors who advise on their ability to sit for exams safely,” he said, adding that most of these students choose to take the exams voluntarily.

Nakuru County Commissioner Loyford Kibaara reassured Shiners Boys candidates of their safety, confirming that all suspects connected to the incident had been arrested.

“We lack the capacity to police every school directly; we need the support of school administrations,” Kibaara said.

County Director of Education Victoria Mulili reported that 46,586 students—23,075 boys and 23,522 girls—are sitting for the KCSE exams in Nakuru, which are being conducted in 280 secondary schools across the county.