Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba has confirmed that three candidates have died during the ongoing 2026 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examinations as of November 4.
Ogamba disclosed the deaths on Wednesday, October 29, while addressing the media at the Kibera Deputy County Commissioner's Office in Nairobi County during the opening of examination containers.
The first candidate was identified as Roteno Kongestina Achieng of Alaru Central Mixed Secondary School in Rachonyo West Sub-County, Omabe County.
According to the CS, Achieng fell ill while sitting her examinations on Monday and was taken to hospital, where she later succumbed to her illness.
The second casualty was Cornelius Kiplagat Rotich, a student at Katebe Secondary School in Turbo Sub-County, Uasin County.
Ogamba said Rotich died at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH) on Tuesday after completing his morning Mathematics examination.
The CS also reported the death of Vivian Adhiambo Owiti, a candidate from Gem, Siaya County, who was allegedly murdered at her family home on Friday, October 30, 2026.
He confirmed that investigations into the circumstances surrounding her death had commenced.
Beyond the fatalities, Ogamba expressed concern over the growing number of candidates failing to report for their national examinations.
He revealed that approximately 13 candidates had been reported missing in Nairobi alone, prompting the ministry to step up efforts to trace them.
Consequently, he directed officers from the Ministry of Interior, chiefs, assistant chiefs and members of the Nyumba Kumi network to locate the missing candidates and encourage them to return to examination centres.
Ogamba also issued a warning to officials involved in administering the national examinations, insisting that those who facilitate or overlook examination malpractice would be held responsible.
Meanwhile, the KCSE examinations were temporarily disrupted in Moyale, Marsabit County, following renewed tensions along the Kenya-Ethiopia border involving rival Somali and Ethiopian communities.
The violence, reported on November 1, forced the suspension of examinations after stray bullets struck two schools in the area.
The Ministry of Education confirmed that seven students sustained injuries, while five people were arrested in connection with the incident.
Ogamba assured that arrangements had been made to ensure all 12 affected candidates complete their examinations in accordance with the official examination calendar.
