She walked into the exam room chasing a dream of becoming a lawyer. Hours later, her desk was empty forever, turning what should have been the beginning of her future into one of the year’s most heartbreaking education tragedies.
A 17-year-old KCSE candidate from Alaru Central Mixed Senior School in Homa Bay County has died after falling ill shortly after sitting her first national examination papers, casting a shadow over the start of the 2026 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education examinations.
Conjestina Achieng, a Form Four student in Rachuonyo West Sub-County, reportedly completed English Paper 1 in the morning and Chemistry Paper 1 later in the day before developing severe chest pains. Teachers who noticed her deteriorating condition contacted her family, who rushed to the school before taking her to hospital. She later died while receiving medical attention.
According to her family, the teenager had experienced previous health complications, although the exact cause of death had not been officially confirmed at the time of reporting.
Her father described her as a determined student who dreamed of becoming a lawyer despite the financial struggles the family had faced to keep her in school. Her class teacher remembered her as a disciplined, gentle and composed learner who had maintained exemplary conduct throughout her four years in secondary school.
Her death came as more than 1,048,355 candidates across Kenya began their written KCSE examinations, which are expected to run until November 20. The tragedy has left classmates, teachers and residents mourning a young life cut short before she could complete the examinations she had spent years preparing for.
