Twelve students from Kitonyini High School in Machakos County have been barred from sitting the remaining Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examination papers.
The decision came after the students were allegedly caught using mobile phones within the examination zone.
Kalama Sub-County Education Officer Laban Siwili confirmed the incident, saying the students would not be allowed to continue with the remaining papers.
According to education officials, the students’ alleged possession of mobile phones contravened examination rules set by the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC).
12 Kitonyini High School Students Barred From KCSE Over Mobile Phones
The incident comes as the KNEC tightens security measures in examination centres to prevent cheating and protect the integrity of the national examinations.
In fresh instructions issued on November 1, 2026, KNEC Chief Executive Officer David Njengere directed examination centre managers to ensure all mobile phones within examination centres are switched off and kept in secure, lockable lockers outside examination rooms during examination sessions.
“All mobile phones in the examination centre must be switched off then kept in a lockable locker outside the examination room when the examination session is on,” Njengere stated.
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The council also reminded centre managers that candidates are not allowed to wear wristwatches of any kind, including ordinary watches and smartwatches, inside examination rooms.
Instead, examination centres must provide wall clocks to help candidates keep track of time.
KNEC further directed centre managers to maintain approved weekly lists of authorized personnel working at examination centres.
Those listed must carry their original national identity cards for identification while on duty.
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CS Ogamba Issues Stern Warning Against KCSE Examination Malpractice
The incident also comes as the Ministry of Education maintains a strict position on examination malpractice, with Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba warning that those found violating examination rules would face severe consequences.
Ogamba said the government had put measures in place to ensure the national examinations were conducted with minimal challenges.
“The government shall have no mercy on anyone who engages in any examination offences or malpractices,” the CS stated during the opening of the KCSE examinations in Nyamira.
“Possession and misuse of mobile phones remains one of the greatest threats to the integrity of national examinations.”
The 2026 KCSE examinations has entered their third week, with the council seeking to strengthen supervision and control the handling of examination materials.
Under KNEC examination rules, candidates are prohibited from bringing mobile phones and other unauthorized electronic communication devices into examination rooms. Possession of such devices can lead to serious consequences, including cancellation of examination results.
The council has repeatedly warned candidates against examination malpractice, urging them to follow the rules throughout the examination period.
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