Twelve candidates from Kitonyini High School in Machakos County have been barred from sitting their remaining Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examination papers after they were allegedly found with mobile phones at the examination centre.
The incident happened on Friday, November 13, with the learners reportedly violating examination regulations set by the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC).
According to reports privy to Tukio, it was not immediately established whether the candidates had the phones inside the examination rooms or elsewhere within the school compound.
KNEC regulations prohibit candidates from entering examination centres with mobile phones or other electronic communication devices during the examination period.
The council has warned that candidates found in possession of such devices risk having their examination results cancelled.
In October, KNEC Chief Executive Officer David Njeng’ere cautioned candidates and examination officials against carrying mobile phones into examination centres.
He directed that all phones be switched off and kept in secure lockers outside examination rooms during examination sessions.
The incident at Kitonyini High School comes amid intensified efforts by the government and KNEC to prevent examination malpractice during the 2026 national examinations.
It was not immediately clear whether the 12 candidates would be allowed to appeal the decision or whether their examination results would be cancelled.