A Grade‑nine student at a Kisii County secondary school was prevented from sitting the Kenya Junior School Education Assessment (KJSEA) that began on Monday, 26 October, after her name did not appear in the official exam registration system.

The pupil, who has been enrolled at the school since her first term and serves as a school prefect, was sent home while her classmates commenced the assessment.

Her father said the news came as a surprise, describing the family as “blindsided” by the omission.

The school’s current administration directed the mother to a former principal who had been transferred, stating that the present staff had no knowledge of how the registration error occurred.

School officials blamed the registration failure on the recently transferred former principal, suggesting that the omission stemmed from actions taken before the new leadership took over.

The student appealed to the Ministry of Education, urging authorities to intervene and allow her to complete the assessment before the examination window closes.

Family members expressed frustration, noting that the pupil had participated in internal school examinations and held a leadership role, making the registration oversight difficult to understand.

The girl appeared visibly distressed when speaking to the press, highlighting concerns about the potential impact on her academic progression.