A Kenya Junior School Education Assessment examiner has died while marking the recently concluded national examinations in Machakos County.
According to the Kenya National Examination Council (KNEC), the teacher, Nicodemus Mutuku, died on Monday morning at the Machakos Girls High School marking centre, where he had been stationed since November 7.
His death was confirmed by Kenya National Examinations Council Chief Executive Officer David Njengere in a statement, which revealed that Mutuku, serving as a team leader for the Creative Arts and Sports paper, was reported to have been actively involved in the marking exercise before his sudden demise.
He had been part of the team of examiners overseeing the month-long exercise that began earlier this month.
KNEC said that the late teacher had built a long and reputable career as an examiner, having previously served under the Kenya Certificate of Primary Education system before the full transition to the Competency-Based Curriculum. He was currently a teacher at Nduluni Junior School in Makindu, Makueni County.
Njengere described the examiner as a committed professional whose contribution to national assessment had been invaluable over the years, noting that the council had lost a highly dependable officer.
“He was an experienced, diligent teacher, and we have, indeed, lost a gem,” Njengere said.
KNEC further indicated that Mutuku had demonstrated exemplary dedication throughout the marking exercise, offering leadership to his team and ensuring standards were upheld.
The examination body conveyed its condolences to the teacher’s family, colleagues, and the wider education fraternity, acknowledging the impact his work had on shaping learners' assessments. Njengere stated that the council would continue supporting the affected family during the difficult period.
The news came just a few days after four KCSE candidates died on Friday, last week, following a fatal road accident involving a lorry and a 14-seater matatu in the Mbooni area of Makueni County. The candidates were heading home after completing their national examinations.
Reports indicated that the accident occurred after the speeding lorry reportedly lost control and crashed into a stationary matatu at Ngoluni Stage in Mbooni East.
