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| Turkana County Police Commander, Samuel Ndanyi. |
A police officer was shot dead in cold blood on Monday morning while guarding Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examination papers in Turkana County.
The tragic incident occurred at Kang’atotha area, Turkana Central, where officers had been deployed to provide security during the ongoing national examinations.
According to police reports, the slain officer was part of a team assigned to escort and guard examination materials at a local school. Witnesses said the attack happened shortly after dawn when unknown assailants ambushed the officer. His firearm, a G3 rifle, was stolen after the shooting.
Turkana County Police Commander Samuel Ndanyi confirmed the incident, saying the assailants struck before other officers at the examination center could respond. “We lost one of our officers this morning while he was on official duty securing KCSE exam materials. The attackers took off with his rifle. A manhunt has been launched to track down the culprits,” Ndanyi told the press.
He added that the police are working closely with local administrators and community members to gather intelligence that could lead to the recovery of the stolen firearm and the arrest of the perpetrators. “We urge the public to volunteer any information that can assist in our investigations. Such acts not only endanger lives but also threaten the credibility and safety of national exams,” he said.
The killing comes at a time when the Ministry of Education and the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) have heightened security across the country to prevent exam leaks, cheating, and attacks targeting exam officials. Every examination center is manned by at least two armed officers to ensure safety and smooth running of the tests.
Education officials in Turkana expressed deep concern over the incident, saying the security of students, teachers, and examination materials remains a top priority.
“This unfortunate event will not disrupt the examination schedule. We have put in place additional security measures to ensure all papers reach their destinations safely,” said a local education officer who requested anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter.
The officer’s body was taken to Lodwar County Referral Hospital mortuary, awaiting postmortem examination and identification by family members. His name has not yet been released as authorities notify next of kin.
Security teams have since intensified patrols along roads used to transport examination papers, particularly in remote areas of Turkana known for insecurity and occasional bandit attacks.
Leaders from the region, including Turkana Governor Jeremiah Lomorukai, condemned the killing and called on the national government to increase police presence in volatile parts of the county. “Our officers serve with courage in challenging environments. It is disheartening that criminals continue to target them even as they protect national interests,” he said in a statement.
As investigations continue, the Ministry of Interior has reassured the public that the ongoing KCSE exams will proceed without disruption, and all necessary security measures have been reinforced.
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