KJSEA examiner dies in Machakos while marking national exams

A Kenya Junior School Education Assessment examiner has died while marking the recently concluded national examinations in Machakos County.

The Kenya National Examination Council (KNEC) announced that the examiner, Nicodemus Mutuku, passed away on Monday morning at the Machakos Girls High School marking centre, where he had been working since November 7.

In a statement, KNEC Chief Executive Officer David Njengere confirmed the incident, noting that Mutuku who served as a team leader for the Creative Arts and Sports paper had been actively engaged in marking before his sudden death.

He had been part of the team of examiners conducting the month-long exercise that began earlier this month.

According to KNEC, Mutuku had built a distinguished career as an examiner, having previously served under the Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) system before the full rollout of the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC). At the time of his death, he was a teacher at Nduluni Junior School in Makindu, Makueni County.

Njengere praised the late examiner as a committed and highly dependable professional whose contribution to national assessments had been invaluable.
“He was an experienced, diligent teacher, and we have, indeed, lost a gem,” he said.

KNEC added that Mutuku had shown exceptional dedication throughout the marking period, offering strong leadership to his team and ensuring marking standards were upheld.

The council conveyed its condolences to Mutuku’s family, colleagues, and the wider education community, acknowledging the significant impact he had made in shaping learner assessments.

Njengere also said KNEC would continue supporting the bereaved family during this difficult time.

News of his death comes just days after a tragic accident claimed the lives of four KCSE candidates on Friday last week.

The candidates died in a collision involving a lorry and a 14-seater matatu in the Mbooni area of Makueni County as they travelled home after completing their exams.