Candidates sit a KCSE paper in an examination hall. (File photo: The Kenya Times)

Three candidates sitting the 2026 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examinations have died in separate incidents, Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba confirmed on Wednesday 4 November.

Ogamba named the three as Congestina Achieng' of Alaru Central Mixed Secondary School in Rachuonyo West, Homa Bay County; Cornelius Kiplagat Rotich of Katebee Secondary School in Turbo, Uasin Gishu County; and Vivianne Adhiambo Owiti of Dhene Secondary School in Gem Wagai, Siaya County.

Congestina fell ill while sitting her examinations on Monday 2 November and died after being rushed to hospital. Cornelius died at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital on Tuesday 3 November, after sitting his Mathematics paper that morning. Vivianne was murdered at her family home on Friday 30 October, before the main written examinations began, and a suspect linked to her killing is in police custody as investigations continue.

The Ministry conveyed its condolences to the bereaved families, friends, teachers and school communities, and said candidates receiving treatment in hospitals and other medical facilities are being supported so they are not denied the chance to complete their examinations.

Ogamba also raised concern over absenteeism, revealing that about 13 candidates in Nairobi had not reported to their examination centres. He directed education officials, police, chiefs, assistant chiefs and the Nyumba Kumi network to help trace them and establish the reasons for their absence.

Security has also disrupted the examinations in Moyale Sub-County, Marsabit County, where candidates from two examination centres were relocated to safer locations following clashes along the Kenya-Ethiopia border.

The 2026 KCSE is the largest ever, with 1,048,355 candidates registered across 10,693 centres, up 5.27 per cent from 995,860 in 2025 and 965,172 in 2024. Written papers began on Monday 2 November and run until Friday 20 November, after oral, practical and low-candidature papers that started on 19 October. It is the second-last KCSE cohort under the 8-4-4 system; the final cohort sits the examination in 2027.

Ogamba warned candidates, parents and the public against individuals and online groups claiming to possess KCSE examination materials, and urged anyone with credible information on irregularities to report directly to the Kenya National Examinations Council through the toll-free numbers 0800 721 410 and 0800 724 900.