Twelve KCSE candidates from Kitonyini High School in Machakos County face an uncertain academic future after being sent home and barred from sitting their remaining national examination papers over alleged mobile phone possession.
The incident, which unfolded on Friday, November 13, 2026, has sent shockwaves through families and school communities across Kenya, serving as a stark reminder of the zero-tolerance rules enforced during the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) exams.
What happened at Kitonyini High School
Education officials in Machakos County confirmed that the 12 learners, from Kitonyini High School (also referred to as Kitonyini Mixed Secondary School) in Kalama Sub-County, were stopped from continuing with their remaining papers after mobile phones were discovered during the examination period.
According to Kalama Sub-County Education Officer Laban Siwili, the students were immediately sent home, with reports indicating they were issued letters discontinuing them from the school while authorities handle the breach. Eastern Regional Director of Education Hajji Hassan and Machakos County Director of Education Titus Mbatha confirmed that the matter has been handed over to the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) and relevant agencies for active investigation.
However, key details remain under inquiry. Conflicting reports have emerged regarding whether the devices were confiscated inside the actual examination room or elsewhere within the school compound, a distinction that could prove critical as KNEC deliberates on the candidates’ fate.
What the law says about phones in exam centres
For parents and guardians supporting candidates through the 2026 national exams, the Machakos incident underscores the severity of KNEC regulations. Under the Kenya National Examinations Council Act (Section 32) and KNEC’s 2026 examination rules, mobile phones and all unauthorised electronic communication devices are strictly banned at examination centres.
The potential consequences extend far beyond being sent home mid-exam:
- If found guilty of possessing a phone or unauthorised material without lawful authority, KNEC can cancel not only the remaining papers but every paper the candidate has already completed.
- The law empowers KNEC to bar a disqualified candidate from sitting any national examination for up to three years.
- Examination centres where irregularities occur risk heightened audits and disciplinary reviews for centre managers, supervisors, and invigilators.
Earlier, at the start of the 2026 exam season, Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba warned that the government would show “no mercy” to anyone involved in exam offences. This year’s heightened crackdown restricts mobile devices not only for learners, but also for teachers, security personnel, and support staff working within exam zones.
How parents can support their candidates right now
As investigations into the Kitonyini High School incident continue, parents with children currently sitting the KCSE, or preparing for future national assessments, can take practical steps to protect their children from costly mistakes:
- Remind your child that even keeping a switched-off phone in a bag, pocket, or dormitory within a designated exam centre can trigger automatic disqualification.
- Double-check that your child only carries KNEC-approved essentials, such as clear geometric sets and approved non-programmable calculators without covers.
- Exam season carries immense pressure, which sometimes pushes teenagers toward risky decisions. Reassure your child that their integrity and well-being matter far more than any grade.
KNEC is expected to issue a formal determination on the 12 Machakos candidates once investigations conclude.
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