A 17-year-old Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) candidate has died in Homa Bay County, shortly after sitting her first examination paper.
The candidate, identified as Congestina Achieng, was a Form Four student at Alaro Central Secondary School. She reportedly died on Monday evening after developing severe chest pains during the examination period.
According to her family, Achieng had been unwell since the previous week but had hoped to recover in time to sit her national examinations.
She passed away hours after completing her first two KCSE papers, leaving her family, teachers and the wider community mourning her death.
What Happened to the KCSE Candidate
Speaking to the media, Achieng’s father, David Ogweno, said he received an urgent call from the school principal asking him to attend to his daughter after she had completed her first two examination papers.
Ogweno said he immediately went to check on her after being informed that she was unwell.
“Her condition worsened rapidly. We rushed her to Tamary Hospital, but unfortunately, she passed away,” he said.
Her mother, Pamela Atieno, said her daughter had complained of chest pains before the examinations.
According to Atieno, she bought her daughter over-the-counter medication in the hope that she would recover and sit the national examinations.
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“She complained of chest pains, and I bought her some over-the-counter medicine to relieve the pain so she could sit for the national test. I was later called and told she could no longer continue,” Atieno said.
Teachers Describe KCSE Candidate
Achieng’s teachers, Isaiah Opere and Austine Achina, described her as a disciplined student who maintained good conduct throughout her time at Alaro Central Secondary School.
Opere recalled that the candidate was known for her calm personality and respectful behavior, adding that she had never faced disciplinary action for misconduct.
“She was gentle, composed and well-behaved. She was never once in trouble or punished for misconduct,” Opere told the media.
Her death came just as she was completing her secondary school education, having sat her first two national examination papers.
Achieng’s father said the family had made significant financial sacrifices to support the education of their children.
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Ogweno, who works as a casual laborer, said he had struggled to meet the cost of educating his children, including another child currently studying at Tom Mboya University.
He said Achieng had hoped to become a lawyer and viewed the KCSE examinations as an important step toward achieving her ambition.
She had also hoped to secure a better future for herself and help her family overcome financial difficulties.
Her death has left her family mourning the loss of a daughter whose education and career ambitions were cut short while sitting her final secondary school examinations.
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