Journalist allegedly abducted, robbed and abandoned in Bomet after KCSE chaos in Kisii

The team, drawn from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) and the National Intelligence Service (NIS), arrived at around 10.30 a.m., between the first and second papers, following a report by KNEC official Gioko Kanyi about suspected irregularities in the ongoing 2026 KCSE examinations.

According to police, the team discovered a laptop hidden behind the school administration block and alerted DCI officers based at Nyamache to respond. That is when the situation turned violent.

Candidates reportedly turned rowdy and attacked the monitoring team, targeting KNEC officials and police officers. In the chaos, the learners allegedly snatched a Ceska pistol from a police officer and held it for nearly three hours before it was recovered following an extensive search of the school compound.

Kisii County Police Commander Ronald Kirui confirmed the incident, saying KNEC officials and some officers sustained injuries.

"We are here because of the incident that occurred between the first and second papers, during which KNEC officials, accompanied by police officers from Nairobi for examination monitoring, were accosted by the candidates at this school," Kirui said.

"We conducted a serious search in the school and have recovered the firearm. It is now with us, and the circumstances surrounding its loss are under investigation."

The students also allegedly seized a Toyota Succeed, registration number KCV 143M, belonging to Corporal Leonard Siele. The vehicle was extensively damaged, and personal belongings kept inside were reportedly stolen.

Corporal Siele was seriously assaulted during the confrontation and was subsequently reported missing, prompting a search to establish his whereabouts.

Other members of the monitoring team included Inspector Peterson Amimo, Police Constable Edward Onyango and NIS officer Boniface Muli.

In a separate incident linked to the chaos, a journalist covering the events was reportedly abducted by unknown individuals.

The journalist has since spoken to this publication and confirmed that he is safe but feeling weak. He said he did not know the people who abducted him.

During the ordeal, he lost his camera, press card, ATM card, notebook and Sh500 to the unidentified individuals.

He was later abandoned in Bomet town and managed to reach safety.

Police have been informed, and investigations into the reported abduction are ongoing alongside the probe into the attack on the monitoring team.

Anti-riot police were later deployed to the school and stationed at the institution to restore order as DCI detectives from Nyamache investigated the suspected malpractice, attack, property damage, reported disappearance of the officer and abduction of the journalist.

Two students also reportedly sustained serious injuries during the unrest and were receiving medical attention.