KJSEA Examiner Dies While On Duty at Machakos Marking Centre
Marking for KJSEA started on November 7, barely a day after learners completed their final papers on November 6, 2025.
KPSEA and KJSEA exam papers seen at the Kibera DCC exam centre. Photo/Courtesy
By Ruth Sang
A sombre mood engulfed Machakos Girls High School on Monday, November 24, 2025, after an examiner participating in the ongoing Kenya Junior School Education Assessment marking exercise died while on duty. The Kenya National Examination Council confirmed the death of Nicodemus Mutua Mutuku, who had been actively involved in the marking of this year’s junior school assessment papers since early November.
Mutuku had been a team leader in the Creative Arts and Sports paper. He collapsed at the marking centre, a scenario that triggered instant concern among colleagues and supervisors. He was pronounced dead shortly after he had been rushed for assistance. The sudden demise of this dedicated worker has sent shockwaves among examiners and the education sector at large, considering his long-serving commitment to national examinations.
According to the KNEC, Mutuku was a respected teacher from Nduluni Junior School in Makindu Sub-County, Makueni County. He had worked with the examination council for many years, initially serving as an examiner for the now-abolished Kenya Certificate of Primary Education examinations. When the country moved to adopt the Competency-Based Curriculum, CBC, now reorganized as Competency-Based Education, CBE, Mutuku adapted with ease, continuing to offer his services in the early years of the implementation of the new junior school assessment framework.
In a statement released on Tuesday, KNEC Chief Executive Officer Dr. David Njeng’ere said the council was saddened by the loss of one of its experienced members. He said that over the years Mutuku was an asset to the examiner fraternity through his dedication, leadership, and professionalism.
“Our sincerest sympathy and condolences go to Mr. Mutuku’s family, friends, colleagues, and all who worked closely with him, as his contribution to national assessment processes will be remembered with great respect,” said Dr. Njeng’ere.
Marking for KJSEA started on November 7, barely a day after learners completed their final papers on November 6, 2025. Thousands of examiners have been stationed in various centres across the country to ensure timely processing of the assessments as the Ministry of Education gears toward releasing the results.
The Ministry has said the results of the 2025 Junior Secondary evaluation would be released on December 11, 2025. KNEC has assured the country that the marking exercise will go on as scheduled despite the tragic incident, with the support mechanisms put in place for examiners affected by the incident. Mutuku’s death has brought out into the open the grueling nature of national assessment work. This incident has stirred discussions on examiner welfare, workload, and calls for expanded support mechanisms during peak marking sessions. His colleagues have described him as diligent, humble, and committed to the nurturing of learners across the nation.
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