Machakos Girls School gate. An examiner died in the School while overseeing part of the ongoing KJSEA marking exercise. Photo Facebook Courtesy. 
By Andrew Mbuva
The Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) has announced the sudden death of one of its senior examiners stationed at the Kenya Junior School Education Assessment (KJSEA) marking centre in Machakos.
Nicodemus Mutua Mutuku, a team leader in the Creative Arts and Sports paper, passed away on Monday morning at Machakos Girls High School, where he had been overseeing part of the ongoing KJSEA marking exercise.
According to a statement issued by KNEC Chief Executive Officer Dr. David Njengere, the marking exercise commenced on 7th November 2025, and Mr. Mutuku had been “actively and diligently” executing his duties as a team leader until his sudden demise.
Mutuku, a respected educator, taught at Nduluni Junior School in Makindu Sub-County, Makueni County. Before the country adopted the Competency-Based Education (CBE) system, he served as a longtime KCPE examiner under KNEC, contributing to national assessment processes for many years.
In his tribute, Dr. Njengere described Mutuku as an experienced, dedicated, and diligent teacher whose loss will be deeply felt by the education fraternity. “We have, indeed, lost a gem,” the statement read.
KNEC extended its heartfelt condolences to Mr. Mutuku’s family, friends, colleagues, and fellow examiners, expressing sympathy as they come to terms with the tragic loss. The council did not disclose the circumstances surrounding his death but affirmed its support for those affected.
The incident comes at a critical time when examiners across the country are engaged in marking the second national assessment under the Junior Secondary framework.
