KCSE Candidates Evacuated as Bullets and Grenades Raise Alarm in Moyale

KCSE candidates in Moyale, Marsabit County, have been moved to safer locations after bullets from neighbouring Ethiopia struck a school, exposing the growing security risks facing communities along Kenya’s northern border.

Candidates from Sessi Mixed Secondary School and St Mary’s Mixed Secondary School were relocated on Monday, November 2, following the incident as Kenya began the main written papers of the 2026 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education examinations.

Moyale Deputy County Commissioner Benedict Munywoki said the schools were dangerously close to the international boundary, leaving learners exposed to violence unfolding across the border.

He said Sessi Mixed Secondary School was only about 60 to 100 metres from the border. The candidates were therefore moved to Sessi Primary School and other safer locations to allow them to continue with their examinations.

“The schools are located very close to the international border between Kenya and Ethiopia,” Munywoki said, explaining why authorities had ordered the relocation.

The incident disrupted examination activities in the affected area. However, the Ministry of Education and the Kenya National Examinations Council had not issued a detailed public account of the disruption or confirmed whether all affected examination sessions proceeded without further interruption by the time of publication.

The 2026 KCSE written examinations are scheduled to run from November 2 to November 20, placing additional pressure on authorities to protect candidates and examination officials throughout the exercise.

Three grenades found in Moyale

The evacuation came amid reports of a wider security scare in the border town.

Three rocket-propelled grenades were discovered in Moyale on Sunday, November 1. One was found at Sessi Primary School, while two others landed near the Meteorological Department offices.

Kenya Defence Forces personnel, including bomb-disposal specialists, were deployed to assess the devices. The grenades were identified, removed and safely detonated.

No injuries were reported during the operation. Residents were urged to remain alert and report suspicious objects to security agencies.

The incidents have heightened fears among families living near the border. Sessi resident Ali Haro told Eastleigh Voice that an explosion had left children frightened and struggling to sleep.

“Our lives are in danger, and the children cannot sleep,” he said, appealing for stronger security protection.

The latest events follow earlier reports of stray bullets striking structures in Moyale, with at least three people reportedly injured in a previous incident.

Conflict in Ethiopia drives thousands into Kenya

The violence is also creating a growing humanitarian challenge for Kenya.

Thousands of Ethiopians have crossed into Moyale seeking safety as clashes continue between forces and armed groups associated with the Oromia and Somali regional states.

The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights estimated on October 27 that about 40,000 people had sought refuge in the area. More than 15,000 were reportedly staying in temporary shelters, while others had found accommodation with relatives and host families.

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees later said local authorities estimated that up to 50,000 people had crossed into Kenya. It cautioned that the figure was still changing as registration and verification continued.

The arrivals include large numbers of women and children. Humanitarian agencies have warned that the influx is putting pressure on food supplies, clean water, shelter, sanitation and healthcare.

The KNCHR has called on national and county authorities to coordinate an urgent response. It has also stressed that displaced people must be treated with dignity and protected regardless of their nationality or immigration status.

The commission wants additional medical teams, emergency supplies, safe shelter and protection services for vulnerable people. It has also urged authorities to consider the needs of host communities, which are facing growing pressure on already limited resources.

A test for border security and education authorities

The evacuation of KCSE candidates brings the consequences of the cross-border violence closer to Kenya’s education system.

For the affected learners, the priority is to complete their examinations without fear or disruption. For teachers, invigilators and examination officials, the incidents raise questions about the safety arrangements at centres located close to the international boundary.

Authorities will need to maintain close coordination between security officers, education officials and examination administrators. They must also ensure that any relocation does not compromise the confidentiality, fairness or proper administration of national examinations.

The situation in Moyale also requires a response that addresses both security and humanitarian needs. Protecting Kenyan residents and schools must go hand in hand with providing lawful assistance to people fleeing violence.

For now, the relocation of candidates has helped move them away from immediate danger. But the discovery of grenades and the continued movement of displaced people underline how quickly violence across the border can affect life inside Kenya.

About the Author

Maureen Onyango is a journalist passionate about storytelling, life coaching and spiritual lessons. She studied at the Kenya Institute of Management and enjoys telling stories that inform, inspire and empower communities.