Several students from Samoei Boys High School spent Wednesday night in police custody after being arrested for allegedly instigating unrest within the institution.
According to witnesses, the chaos erupted at around 8 p.m. when a group of Form Four students reportedly attempted to set some school buildings on fire.
The riots are said to have been triggered by frustrations over alleged denial of access to examination leakage and heightened scrutiny during the ongoing Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examinations.
Residents living near the school recounted hearing screams as the students ran amok, threatening to torch buildings and destroy property.
Police officers, who were already on high alert, quickly intervened and dispersed the students using tear gas. Locals reported hearing loud bangs as officers fired the canisters to restore order.
No injuries were reported during the confrontation. Officers from Nandi Police Station managed to regain control of the situation and arrested several students believed to have participated in the unrest.
The incident occurred as KCSE examinations continue nationwide, with the tests expected to conclude on Friday.
Education officials have urged students and parents to remain calm as investigations proceed.
This unrest follows a recent warning from Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba, who cautioned that anyone caught engaging in examination malpractice would face severe consequences.
Speaking to the press on November 13, Ogamba disclosed that 78 people including individuals who are not students had already been arrested over exam-related offences.
He added that teachers and examination officials found aiding cheating during the KCSE risk dismissal and criminal prosecution.
“We have identified people misusing social media to expose exam content. Security personnel have acted swiftly and arrested 78 suspects so far,” Ogamba said.
“Through evidence-led operations, more offenders will be apprehended and prosecuted. We have also recorded several cases of impersonation,” he added.
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