KCSE Student Dies in Examination Room in Kakamega County.
Ebubere Secondary School in Mumias, Kakamega County, is in mourning following the mysterious death of a 19-year-old male student, Calistus Wamboye, who passed away just before beginning his Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) exams.
Wamboye collapsed in the examination room while preparing for his mathematics paper, scheduled to start at 8:00 am on Tuesday, November 5.
The student’s family reported that Wamboye had shown no signs of illness, leaving home in high spirits alongside a sibling also sitting for the national exams.
In response to his sudden demise, the family urged the government to conduct an investigation into the incident, expressing their deep sorrow over the loss of a son they held great hopes for.
After the tragic event, the student’s body was transported to St. Mary’s Mission Hospital Mortuary in Mumias, where it awaits a post-mortem examination to ascertain the cause of death.
Additional Exam-Related Incidents
Wamboye’s death follows another unfortunate event in Tigania West, where a male candidate died on Monday, November 4, hours before he was set to begin his exams.
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Additionally, two pregnant female candidates gave birth on the same day at a hospital in Meru. Meru’s regional administrator disclosed the incidents, noting the number could increase as exams progress.
Statistics from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) indicate that 18 percent of teenage girls in Kenya, aged between 15 and 19, either have had a live birth or are currently pregnant. This statistic suggests a rise in candidates giving birth during the examination period.
| Incident | Location | Date | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Male candidate’s death | Tigania West | November 4 | Died before exam commencement |
| Two female candidates give birth | Meru Hospital | November 4 | Pregnant candidates delivered babies |
Missing Student Found
In a separate occurrence, a 19-year-old KCSE candidate who went missing on October 25 was found in Mathioya River. The family appealed to authorities to investigate the circumstances surrounding the student’s disappearance and subsequent discovery.
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During the supervision of exam distribution, Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba directed supervisors to ensure strict adherence to rules, with a warning that any detected malpractice would result in prosecution in newly established courts dedicated to handling examination fraud cases.
He added that this year’s examination papers are equipped with technology to detect tampering, which would immediately relay alerts to the Kenya National Examination Council (KNEC) headquarters in Nairobi, ensuring the integrity of the exam process remains uncompromised.
KCSE Student Dies in Examination Room in Kakamega County.
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