Three candidates sitting the 2026 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examinations have died in separate incidents, with two succumbing to illnesses while another was reportedly killed at her family home, Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba has announced.

In a statement on Wednesday, Ogamba identified the deceased as Congestina Achieng’ of Alaru Central Mixed Secondary School in Rachuonyo West, Homa Bay County; Cornelius Kiplagat Rotich of Katebee Secondary School in Turbo, Uasin Gishu County; and Vivianne Adhiambo Owiti of Dhene Secondary School in Gem Wagai, Siaya County.

The CS provided details of the circumstances surrounding each death, explaining that Achieng’ fell ill while sitting her examinations on Monday and was rushed to hospital, where she later died.

Rotich also died while the national examinations were ongoing. According to Ogamba, the candidate sat his Mathematics paper on Tuesday morning before being pronounced dead later that day at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital.

In a separate incident, Owiti was reportedly killed at her family home on Friday, October 30, several days before the Education CS announced the deaths.

Police have since arrested a suspect in connection with her killing. The suspect remains in custody as investigations into the incident continue.

Ogamba expressed his condolences to the families, friends and school communities affected by the deaths, saying the loss had saddened the Ministry of Education.

"On behalf of the Ministry of Education, I convey our heartfelt condolences to their families, friends and respective school communities," Ogamba said.

At the same time, Ogamba disclosed that candidates from two examination centres in Moyale Sub-County, Marsabit County, had been moved to safer locations following security concerns arising from clashes along the Kenya-Ethiopia border.

He said the move was aimed at protecting both the learners and examination officials while ensuring that those affected could continue sitting their national examinations without disruption.

The relocation formed part of measures put in place to prevent insecurity in the border region from interfering with the candidates' ability to complete their examinations.

The CS also acknowledged education and health officials for making special arrangements for candidates sitting their examinations while receiving treatment in various health facilities.

He said the arrangements were important in ensuring that learners facing medical challenges had an opportunity to complete their examination papers without being disadvantaged by circumstances beyond their control.

Meanwhile, Ogamba cautioned candidates, parents and members of the public against individuals and online groups claiming to have access to KCSE examination materials.

He urged the public not to engage with such groups, advising anyone with credible information about suspected examination malpractice to report it directly to the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC).

Members of the public can report suspected examination irregularities through KNEC's toll-free numbers 0800 721 410 and 0800 724 900.

The warning comes as candidates continue sitting the national examinations, with authorities remaining alert to attempts to compromise the credibility of the assessment.

The 2026 KCSE is the second-last examination to be administered under the 8-4-4 education system as Kenya progresses towards completing the transition to the Competency-Based Education (CBE) curriculum.

This year's examination period officially began on October 19, with oral and practical papers administered before the main written examinations started on November 2.

A total of 1,048,355 candidates registered for the 2026 KCSE, marking the first year in which the number of candidates sitting the examination has exceeded one million.