KNEC launches probe after students in Kisii disarm police officer, attack exam officials

Police said four security officers, including three Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) detectives and a National Intelligence Service (NIS) officer, were injured in the incident.

Speaking to Citizen TV on the phone, KNEC Chief Executive Officer Dr David Njegere, who was part of the council's team that visited the school on Thursday, stated that the examination body is reviewing the circumstances surrounding the incident, with a comprehensive statement expected on Monday.

One of the injured officers was reportedly airlifted to Nairobi for further medical attention.

Meanwhile, Ogembo Level Five Hospital management confirmed receiving students who were semi-conscious following Thursday's melee.

"Those who were responsible for any form of offences, we are going to bring them to book and prosecute them irrespective of their ages because a crime committed must be punished appropriately," said Kisii County Police Commander Ronald Kirui.

But even as investigations continue, Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) officials in Gusii have accused KNEC of subjecting schools in the region to excessive surveillance, questioning what they describe as the militarisation of examination centres.

The union accuses KNEC of deploying excessive security personnel to examination centres, creating what it describes as an intimidating environment for school administrators and candidates.

"We have serious concerns how KNEC deployed over 15 officers. Why turn the school into a military camp, yet other schools don't have?" KUPPET Secretary General in Kisii, Jared Kinyanchui said.

KUPPET officials further claimed that several school principals in the two counties have complained of harassment and pressure from examination officials, warning that the situation could take a toll on school administrators.

"So many schools in Kisii and Nyamira, principals have reported a lot of harassment. This exam is going to make principals die because of pressure. We are concerned," Kinyanchui added.

KUPPET official Victor Onyiego said, "Our region doesn't cheat. This mere perception whereby KNEC officials run from headquarters to Kisii to imagine and think students from Kisii steal exams, we want to denounce it. Our supervisors and centre managers are all scared now."

Despite Thursday's confrontation, the examination exercise resumed at Nyabisase on Friday, albeit under heightened police surveillance.

As investigations continue, attention now shifts to KNEC's promised report and whether the incident will trigger a review of examination security operations in the Gusii region.