A Kibabii University student has been arrested in Bungoma over allegations of coordinating a syndicate involved in circulating Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examination papers as candidates across the country began their theory examinations on Monday.
The suspect, identified as John Odhiambo Opiyo, was arrested after detectives allegedly traced the sharing of examination papers to him. Officers recovered a mobile phone believed to have been used to distribute the examination materials.
Opiyo is currently being held at Bungoma Police Station as investigators prepare an inventory of the recovered items before proceeding with further investigations.
Detectives also reported suspected examination malpractice in Garissa and Wajir counties. Efforts to identify those behind the incidents were ongoing at the time of reporting.
The developments came as candidates sat their English and Chemistry papers, marking the beginning of the theory examination period.
Education Cabinet Secretary Migos Ogamba announced that this year’s KCSE candidature had crossed the one-million mark for the first time in the history of the examination.
Speaking during the opening of an examination container in Borabu, Nyamira County, Ogamba said the number of registered candidates had increased by 5.27 per cent compared with 2025.
He said the government had put measures in place to ensure the examinations were conducted smoothly across more than 10,000 examination centres countrywide.
This year’s candidates are also part of the second-last KCSE cohort under the 8-4-4 education system as the country continues its transition to the new education structure.
Meanwhile, three candidates in Bomet County were allowed to sit their examinations in hospital due to medical circumstances.
Among them was a girl who gave birth on Monday morning, just hours before sitting her English paper.
Bomet Education Director Leornard Ngugi said the candidates were accommodated at Longisa Mother and Child Hospital, Kaplong Hospital and Tenwek Hospital to enable them to participate in the examinations.
One of the candidates sitting the examinations at Tenwek Hospital is a student from St. Albert School in Migori County.
In the North Eastern region, education officials outlined security and transport arrangements to ensure examination materials reached all centres, including areas facing insecurity and logistical challenges.
Regional Education Director Mohammed Roble said examination materials would be transported by road wherever possible, while helicopters would be used in areas affected by insecurity.
He also cautioned candidates and other individuals against engaging in examination malpractice.
Security was also heightened at Hagadera, Ifo and Dagahaley refugee camps in Dadaab to ensure candidates completed their examinations without interruptions.
Fafi Deputy County Commissioner Patrick Munga said a helicopter had been provided to transport examination materials to and from centres along a route that presented challenges for ordinary transport.
In Narok County, education officials raised concerns over the possible use of smartwatches by candidates to facilitate cheating during examinations.
County Education Director Peter Magiri urged school heads to install wall clocks in examination rooms to help candidates monitor time without relying on personal electronic devices.
Elsewhere, candidates from Sessi and St. Mary’s Mixed schools in Moyale, Marsabit County, were moved to safer examination centres following reports of insecurity along the Kenya-Ethiopia border.
Education officials said the relocation was intended to protect the candidates and ensure they could sit their examinations without disruptions.
The measures come amid increased attention on examination security, with authorities working to prevent cheating while ensuring all registered candidates have an opportunity to complete their KCSE examinations.
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