Candidates at two schools in Moyale, Marsabit County, were evacuated on Monday, 2 November 2026, after stray bullets from the conflict across the border in Ethiopia hit Sessi Mixed Secondary School. Moyale Deputy County Commissioner Benedict Munywoki confirmed that candidates from Sessi and St Mary’s Mixed Secondary School were moved to safer locations so they could continue their national examinations.
The incident happened on the first day of the main written KCSE papers. A record 1,048,355 candidates are registered nationwide, and the examination runs until Friday, 20 November. At the time of publication, the Ministry of Education and KNEC had not issued a statement specific to Moyale.
What officials have said
Deputy County Commissioner Munywoki said the relocation was meant to protect learners. Education CS Julius Ogamba said on 2 November that the Ministry is working with KNEC and the Interior Ministry to address possible disruptions. He said the priority is to safeguard candidates and exam personnel, and that affected candidates will be supported in line with KNEC arrangements.
Why gunfire is reaching Moyale
Moyale straddles the Kenya-Ethiopia border. Armed clashes broke out on the Ethiopian side around 22 October, and police said people were fleeing tensions between leaders of Ethiopia’s Oromia and Somali regional states. Stray bullets had already injured people in Kenyan Moyale before 2 November. Police reported that a police officer and a 31-year-old woman were hit, and the Kenya Red Cross reported four people with gunshot wounds at St Mary’s.
Thousands of people have crossed into Kenya. The Kenya Red Cross counted more than 15,000 people at six emergency sites, with over 4,000 more hosted by residents. The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights put the number of arrivals at over 40,000.
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Earlier effects on schools
Marsabit education officials said in late October, before KPSEA and KJSEA began, that some Moyale schools had been affected by the clashes. They said the situation was under control and that affected candidates had moved to safer places to sit their exams. Marsabit County has 4,750 KCSE candidates in 153 centres.
What KNEC’s rules say about disruption
KNEC’s instructions to centre managers cover disruptions. A candidate who cannot reach the registered centre should not be declared absent. The case is reported to KNEC immediately, and the alternative venue is recorded.