Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu yesterday sent condolence message to families of two police officers attacked while escorting exam papers, leaving one dead and another seriously injured.

The officers were escorting examination materials to Mahero Secondary School in Siaya county yesterday morning when they were attacked by two men wielding knives. The officers lost their firearms to the attackers.

“I wish to convey my heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of the officer who died in the line of duty. We wish a quick recovery to the officer who is admitted to hospital, “ said Machogu in a statement.

He added that the examination materials were secured and the candidates at the affected school went ahead and sat for the designated paper even as authorities launched investigations into the matter.

Siaya police said the two officers and an invigilator had been dropped by a school bus a few metres from the examination centre at 7.55am due to an impassable road.

According to Joachim Kombo, an eye witness, the officers were attacked by the two gangsters who descended on them with crude weapons, hacking one officer to death while the other was left with serious injuries.

During the attack, a teacher managed to escape into a nearby home with the papers, as the attackers snatched the officers’ firearms and took off.

Siaya County Commissioner Julius Otieno and the County Police Commander Cleti Kimaiyo led the security team that visited the scene and took the injured officer to Siaya County Referral Hospital.

Otieno called for patience as investigations begin into the matter to establish who the attackers were and what their motive was. He appealed to members of the public to volunteer information that can lead to their arrest.

The KCSE Geography Paper One which was to be done at the school went on successfully after the teacher managed to reach the examination centre.

Meanwhile, Machogu also announced the death last Sunday, of Dr Sally Mutinda, a Deputy Chief Examiner at the Kenya National Examinations Council (Knec).

Machogu said the official had served as an examiner for Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) English Composition for over 20 years.

“She will be remembered for her dedication and commitment to duty both as a classroom teacher, administrator and examiner,” Machogu said.