The government has replaced the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) team at Nyabisase Senior School in Kisii County. Students attacked exam officials and police officers, overpowered one officer and ran off with his gun, The Eastleigh Voice reported. The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) is now investigating.
Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba said a new team had already taken over exam duties at the centre. The DCI has summoned 55 teachers and non-teaching staff to record statements. Ogamba said the government would act against anyone found culpable of exam malpractice or breaking the law once investigations end.
"We changed teams. It is a different team in place now. Once the investigations are complete, if we establish any malpractice or violation of the law, action will be taken," Ogamba told the Nation.
Students reportedly attacked four officers supervising the exams. They threw stones and hurled insults before overpowering one officer and escaping with his Ceska pistol. Kisii County Police Commander Ronald Kirui said officers recovered the gun after an intensive search. The injured officer suffered bruises and blunt-force injuries. He is receiving specialised treatment and is in stable condition.
Ogamba said calm had returned to the school. Learning is going on normally and security has been tightened. He said last Thursday's confrontation did not disrupt any examination.
This is not the first unrest at the school. Nyabisase was closed in July after violent protests over the Teachers Service Commission's (TSC) decision to post a new principal there. During those protests, students attacked teachers and set a dormitory on fire. Education and security officials launched investigations and sent learners home.
The repeated incidents have raised fresh questions about how the school is run, The Eastleigh Voice reported. The outlet also cited reported disagreements between the school's former and current administrations.