KCSE milestone overshadowed by deaths, insecurity and disruptions

This year's Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examination has been marred by absenteeism, dramatic cheating episodes, deaths and insecurity concerns.

It emerged that a number of the 1,048,355 candidates failed to report to their examination centres, a big concern due to limited options available to those who miss the November papers following the suspension of mid-year KCSE examinations.

Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba raised the alarm after 13 candidates in Nairobi failed to turn up byWednesday, prompting the Ministry of Education to enlist local administrators and Nyumba Kumi teams in efforts to trace them.

With the country approaching the end of the 8-4-4 system, candidates who miss this year's examination may have to wait until the next cycle, raising questions about how learners facing genuine emergencies can be accommodated.

Two candidates died after falling ill, while another was allegedly murdered at her family home in Siaya County before the examinations began.

Konjestina Achieng of Aluru Central Mixed Secondary School in Rachuonyo Sub-County, Homa Bay County, fell ill during her examinations on Monday and later died in hospital.

Cornelius Kiplagat of Kateribe Secondary School in Tarbo Sub-County, Uasin Gishu County, also died at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital after sitting his morning Mathematics paper.

The third, Vivian Adhiambo of Dhene Secondary School in Gem Sub-County, Siaya County, was reportedly murdered at her family home, and a suspect in connection with her death was arrested.

The deaths have added a sombre dimension to the examination exercise, highlighting how circumstances beyond the examination process itself can disrupt candidates' participation.

Insecurity has presented another challenge, particularly in the North Eastern region, where at least 220 candidates in Moyale were forced to sit their examinations away from their schools after stray bullets from clashes across the Kenya-Ethiopia border threatened their safety.

Moyale Deputy County Commissioner Benedict Munywoki said Sessi Mixed Secondary School, located less than 100 metres from the border, was hit by stray bullets on November 2, prompting the relocation of candidates to Sessi Primary School.

Candidates from St Mary's Mixed Secondary School were also moved to Heillu Primary School to ensure they could continue with their examinations away from the danger.

The safety of examination personnel was also brought into question following an incident at Nyabisase Mixed Secondary School in Bobasi, Kisii County, where students attacked examination officials and police officers on Thursday (See separate story).

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Education and KNEC have tightened restrictions on items candidates can carry into examination rooms, including wristwatches, over concerns that some could be used to facilitate examination malpractice.

Ogamba has also warned candidates and members of the public against individuals claiming to possess KCSE examination papers, previously disclosing the arrest of a person over such claims.