Drama unfolded at Nyabisase Mixed Secondary School in Bobasi, Kisii County, after KCSE candidates turned violent and attacked police officers and examination officials.
According to initial reports, the incident occurred around 10:30 a.m. on November 5, between the first and second examination papers.
“ We are here because of an incident that occurred between the first paper and the second paper, whereby the KNEC officials being accompanied by the police officers from Nairobi, while undergoing the monitoring for the examination, is supposed to be, were accosted,” Kisii County Police Commander Ronald Kirui stated.
Officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), KNEC officials, and the National Intelligence Service (NIS) had visited the school after receiving reports of suspected examination malpractice.
However, before they arrived at the school, the students launched attacks on the examination officers and the police inspecting the school.
Following the chaos, several officers and Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) officials were injured.
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KCSE Candidates Snatch Police Firearm
Speaking during an interview, the Kisii County Police Commander Ronald Kirui confirmed the incident.
Kirui explained that during the confrontation, the candidates overpowered a police officer and snatched his Ceska pistol, holding onto the firearm for nearly six hours.
Ronald Kirui, however, emphasized that the police launched an intensive search within the school to recover the missing firearm.
In addition, the commander noted that the recovered firearm was in the police’s possession pending investigations into how it was lost during the chaos.
“ During the scuffle, an officer lost a firearm, but we have mounted a serious search in the school, and we have recovered the firearm. The firearm is with us, and there is an investigation again of how the firearm was lost at that particular moment,” Kisii County Police Commander Ronald Kirui stated.
The commander also reported that the KCSE candidates took control of one of the officers and damaged it extensively.
Further, the candidates are also reported to have stolen personal property from the vehicle.
Anti-riot police officers were deployed to the institution as officers searched the premises and frisked students and other occupants.
Police have since launched investigations into the incident, with CCTV footage expected to be reviewed to identify students involved in the assault and the seizure of the firearm.
According to the authorities, action will be taken against those found responsible.
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Parents Express Shock as School Faces Fresh Indiscipline Concerns
Parents who rushed to the school following distress calls expressed shock over the incident, questioning how candidates sitting their final secondary school examinations could engage in such violence.
One parent and the school argued that the consequences for those found guilty would negatively impact the candidates, citing the possibility of missing their results.
“So remember this, they are doing KNEC, KCSE, again at the end, after four years. You know it will be frustrating that there is no result; of course, we do not know what will happen in the future,” the parent said.
Earlier on July 6, students from Nyabisase were captured on camera pelting their teachers with stones, sparking public outrage and raising concerns about discipline in schools.
Kisii County Director of Education Philip Chirchir said the unrest resulted from opposition to the posting of a newly transferred principal.
Police officers and security agencies were deployed at the scene to restore calm.
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