A tense night at Samoei Boys High School ended with several students in police custody after chaos broke out during ongoing KCSE exams.
Trouble started shortly after 8pm on Wednesday. According to residents and school insiders, a group of Form Four students allegedly tried to torch some of the school buildings, setting off a wave of panic within the compound.
What began as a small disturbance quickly grew into a full riot, with students shouting, running around the grounds and threatening to destroy school property.
Families living near the school said they heard commotion and screams coming from the compound, prompting them to step outside as the situation escalated.
Police officers, who have been on heightened alert during the national examinations, arrived within minutes. They used tear gas to break up the riot, with loud blasts echoing through the area as they dispersed the students. Fortunately, no injuries were reported.
Once calm was restored, officers from Nandi Police Station rounded up several students suspected of taking part in the attempted arson and vandalism. The exact number of arrests had not been confirmed by press time.
Early reports suggest the unrest may have been triggered by frustrations among some candidates who claimed they were being denied access to exam leakages and were facing intense scrutiny during the KCSE.
The incident comes as KCSE candidates across the country prepare to conclude the exams on Friday. Authorities have urged parents and students to stay calm as investigations continue.
The chaos follows fresh warnings from Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba, who last week said the government would crack down on exam malpractice. Speaking on November 13, the CS revealed that 78 people including individuals who are not candidates had already been arrested for alleged cheating in this year’s examinations.
Ogamba added that teachers and exam officials caught assisting in malpractice face dismissal and criminal charges.
“We have identified a few cases of individuals abusing social media to expose the contents of examinations. Our security personnel have acted swiftly and arrested 78 people so far,” he said.
He explained that evidence-led operations will continue and more arrests are expected, including cases of impersonation.
