Detectives have arrested a Kibabii University student over the alleged circulation of Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examination materials, as more than one million candidates sit the main written papers.

The suspect, identified as John Odhiambo Opiyo, was arrested in Bungoma after investigators traced the alleged distribution of examination papers to him, Education News and TUKO reported on Tuesday, 3 November 2026.

Police recovered a mobile phone believed to have been used to share the examination materials. The device is expected to form part of the evidence as investigators pursue the case, Education News reported.

Opiyo is being held at Bungoma Police Station as detectives prepare an inventory of the recovered items ahead of further investigations.

Authorities also reported suspected examination malpractice incidents in Garissa and Wajir, with investigations under way to establish those behind the alleged irregularities.

The arrest came as candidates entered the second day of the main KCSE written papers. On Tuesday, candidates sat Mathematics Paper 1 in the morning and English Paper 2 in the afternoon. The examinations run to Friday, 20 November 2026.

Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Migos Ogamba said this year's KCSE candidature had crossed the one-million mark for the first time, representing a 5.27 per cent increase from the 2025 registration. The examinations involve 1,048,355 candidates across 10,693 examination centres, Ogamba said in a statement released on Monday, 2 November.

Ogamba said the administration of this year's national examinations and assessments, which commenced on 19 October, had been largely seamless. The Kenya Primary School Education Assessment concluded on Wednesday, 28 October, while the Kenya Junior School Education Assessment concluded on Friday, 30 October.

The Cabinet Secretary disclosed that the ministry had relocated two examination centres in Moyale Sub-County, Marsabit County, following insecurity along the Kenya-Ethiopia border, and that special arrangements had been made to deliver and administer examinations to seven hospitalised candidates and five candidates in correctional facilities.

Ogamba called for continued support in reporting suspected examination fraud and malpractice. "Let us work together to ensure that the results of the examinations and assessments reflect the honest work of our learners," he said.

Education officials in the regions have intensified measures to safeguard the examinations. In Narok, County Education Director Peter Magiri cautioned school heads against possible examination cheating involving smartwatches and urged them to install wall clocks in examination rooms. In the North Eastern region, helicopters have been deployed to transport examination materials to areas facing security and logistical challenges, while security has been reinforced in Dadaab's Hagadera, Ifo and Dagahaley refugee camps, Education News reported.

Sources: Education News, 3 November 2026; TUKO, 3 November 2026; Education News, 2 November 2026.