KCSE: Grief as candidate dies in Homa Bay, another hacked to death in Siaya

In Homa Bay, a 17-year-old female candidate died on Monday evening after developing chest pains. In Siaya, an 18-year-old girl was allegedly murdered at her parents’ home in Powo village.

As more than one million candidates sat their written examinations across the country on Tuesday, the family of 17-year-old Conjestina Achieng’ was mourning her death.

Conjestina died on Monday night, hours after sitting the Chemistry paper. Her family said they received a call informing them that she had developed chest pains, with her condition reportedly deteriorating rapidly.

“She got tired just as we were approaching the end of her second paper, so the deputy centre manager called the parents to come and take her to hospital,” her class teacher, George Ogweno, said.

Her mother, Pamela Atieno, said they rushed to Timaray Hospital but were informed upon arrival that their daughter had died.

In Siaya, police are detaining a middle-aged man identified as Dancun Ochieng, who is suspected of hacking to death an 18-year-old KCSE candidate.

The mutilated body of Vivian Adhiambo was discovered by neighbours, bringing to an end her aspirations of completing her secondary education and pursuing her ambitions.

Her brother, Ben Otieno, said Vivian was a student at Ndhene Secondary School and was expected to sit the national examinations.

“Vivian was studying at Ndhene Secondary School and was supposed to sit her examinations. She was a humble child. These killings have become too common in our area. We are asking the government to help us investigate and find a way to end this,” Otieno said.

In Bungoma, police are holding a 24-year-old Kibabii University student suspected of being involved in an examination malpractice scheme.

John Opiyo was arrested on Monday evening after he was allegedly found in possession of 2026 KCSE examination papers shared through Telegram.

Bungoma County Police Commander Omar Rero said officers arrested the student before he could allegedly distribute the papers to other people.

Opiyo is being held at Bungoma Police Station and is expected to be arraigned on Wednesday.