Bad News for 12 KCSE Candidates After KNEC Examination Incident

Twelve Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education candidates from Kitonyini High School in Machakos County are facing an uncertain academic future after they were reportedly found in possession of mobile phones during the ongoing national examinations.

The incident, which occurred on Friday, November 13, 2026, has raised concerns among parents, teachers and education stakeholders over the fate of the affected students and whether their examination results could eventually be cancelled.

According to reports, the candidates were discovered with mobile phones within the examination zone, an offence prohibited under the examination regulations issued by the Kenya National Examinations Council.

Following the incident, the learners were stopped from sitting their remaining examination papers and reportedly sent home after education officials issued letters discontinuing them from the school.

Kalama Sub-County education officials confirmed that the matter had been escalated to the relevant examination authorities for further action.

One of the biggest questions surrounding the incident is whether the 12 candidates will be allowed to return to the examination rooms and complete their remaining papers.

The final decision is expected from KNEC following investigations into the circumstances surrounding the alleged examination irregularity.

The candidates could also lose marks for examination papers they had already completed if the council establishes that examination regulations were violated.

Under KNEC guidelines, candidates found possessing unauthorised electronic devices during examinations risk having their results cancelled.

The council can also withhold results suspected of being affected by examination malpractice as investigations continue.

In serious cases, an entire examination centre can have its results cancelled if widespread irregularities are established.

However, the incident involving the 12 candidates does not automatically mean that all students at Kitonyini High School will lose their KCSE results.

Investigators will have to establish whether the alleged breach was limited to the affected candidates or involved other individuals at the institution.

The school could also face scrutiny over how examination security was maintained and how the mobile phones reportedly found their way into the examination zone.

For now, the affected learners and their parents remain anxious as they await an official communication from KNEC Chief Executive Officer David Njengere.

The unfolding incident has once again highlighted the strict measures being enforced to protect the credibility of national examinations and discourage examination malpractice across the country.

https://peopledaily.digital/insights/12-kcse-candidates-barred-from-exams-what-next-for-students-and-school?fbclid=IwY2xjawVlZUBleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBwZG9mBXNydGMGYXBwX2lkDDM1MDY4NTUzMTcyOAABH3TAkPzwF4Xbx7mjq3Rh4MCzKQ0yaEReuD9HR3fQP64lOTGZ8J7yUc4SKhWO_aem_6U4bQndqacZiOqCN1k1qbg

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