Tension erupted at Nyabisase Mixed Secondary School in Bobasi, Kisii County, after students allegedly attacked police officers and Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) officials who had visited the institution to investigate suspected examination malpractice.

The incident occurred on Thursday, November 5, 2026, when a multi-agency security team comprising officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), KNEC and the National Intelligence Service (NIS) visited the school following reports of suspected irregularities during the ongoing Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examinations.

During the confrontation, students reportedly seized a Ceska pistol from one of the police officers and held onto the firearm for nearly three hours before security personnel managed to recover it.

Kisii County Police Commander Ronald Kirui confirmed the incident, revealing that several police officers and examination officials sustained injuries during the confrontation.

Following the incident, additional anti-riot police officers were deployed to the institution to restore order and contain the situation.

POLICE OFFICER REPORTEDLY MISSING AFTER CONFRONTATION

The incident took another concerning turn after Corporal Leonard Siele, who was part of the security team, was reportedly seriously assaulted during the confrontation and subsequently went missing.

According to reports, students also seized his Toyota Succeed vehicle, which was extensively damaged, while personal belongings inside the vehicle were reportedly stolen.

Authorities launched efforts to establish the officer’s whereabouts as investigations continued into the circumstances surrounding the confrontation.

SUSPECTED EXAMINATION MALPRACTICE UNDER INVESTIGATION

Preliminary reports indicate that the multi-agency team had visited the school following concerns raised by a KNEC official over suspected examination irregularities.

During the operation, investigators reportedly discovered a laptop concealed behind the school’s administration offices and contacted DCI officers based in Nyamache for further assistance.

However, before the additional detectives could arrive, students allegedly turned hostile and attacked members of the visiting team.

Investigations are expected to establish the circumstances surrounding the suspected examination malpractice, the assault on security personnel and the alleged destruction of property.

SCHOOL HAS HISTORY OF STUDENT UNREST

The latest incident comes barely four months after Nyabisase Secondary School experienced another episode of violent unrest in July 2026.

At the time, students staged protests following the appointment of a new principal by the Teachers Service Commission (TSC), triggering confrontations between learners and teachers.

The protests escalated into violence, with students and teachers reportedly engaging in stone-throwing confrontations. A school dormitory was also set ablaze during the unrest.

The incident prompted education authorities to order the indefinite closure of the institution as investigations were launched.

The latest confrontation has once again placed the school under scrutiny, raising concerns about student discipline, institutional security and the protection of national examinations.

Authorities are expected to establish the full circumstances surrounding Thursday’s incident as investigations continue.