November 5, 2026
Tension gripped Nyabisase Mixed Secondary School in Bobasi, Kisii County, on Thursday after students attacked a multi-agency team investigating suspected examination malpractice during the ongoing Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) exams. Nation
The confrontation occurred around 10:30 a.m., between the first and second papers. Officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) officials, and a National Intelligence Service (NIS) officer had visited the school following reports of irregularities. The team, alerted by KNEC official Gioko Kanyi, reportedly discovered a laptop hidden behind the administration offices and called for additional support from DCI officers based at Nyamache. Educationnews
Before reinforcements arrived, students turned rowdy and attacked the monitoring team. In the chaos, learners snatched a Ceska pistol from a police officer. They remained in possession of the firearm for nearly three hours before it was recovered following a search of the school compound. Kisii County Police Commander Ronald Kirui confirmed the incident, stating that KNEC officials and some officers sustained injuries. Nation
“We are here because of the incident that occurred between the first and second papers, during which KNEC officials, accompanied by police officers from Nairobi for examination monitoring, were accosted by the candidates at this school,” Kirui said. “We conducted a serious search in the school and have recovered the firearm. It is now with us, and the circumstances surrounding its loss are under investigation.” Nation
During the melee, students also seized and extensively damaged a Toyota Succeed (registration number KCV 143M) belonging to Corporal Leonard Siele, stealing personal belongings from the vehicle. Corporal Siele was reportedly seriously assaulted and has since gone missing, with police efforts underway to locate him. Other members of the team included Inspector of Police Peterson Amimo, Constable Edward Onyango, and NIS officer Boniface Muli. Two students were also reported to have sustained serious injuries. Educationnews
Anti-riot police were deployed to restore order, and reinforcements have since camped at the school. Authorities closed the institution and sent students home as investigations into the suspected malpractice, the assault on officials, property damage, and the officer’s disappearance continue. Nation
The incident comes amid a nationwide crackdown on examination cheating. Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba has confirmed that a specialised DCI team is working with KNEC, aided by personalised identifiers on exam papers that can trace leaked materials to individual candidates and centers. Tuko
Nyabisase Mixed Secondary School (also referred to as Nyabisase SDA Mixed) has a recent history of unrest. In July 2026, the school was closed after students violently protested the appointment of a new principal transferred from Mochorwa Secondary School. Clashes with teachers involved stone-throwing, and students set a dormitory ablaze before forcing open the gate and leaving the compound. Citizen
The latest events have raised fresh concerns about the safety of examination officials and security personnel tasked with protecting the integrity of national exams. Police and education authorities continue to investigate the full circumstances.