Kenyan Mother Arrested for Locking Up Daughter Over ‘666’ Exam Number
A 38-year-old Kenyan woman has been arrested after allegedly locking her Grade Six daughter inside their home to prevent her from sitting a national examination because her assessment number contained the digits 666.
The incident occurred in Jomvu, Mombasa County, on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, during the ongoing Kenya Primary School Education Assessment (KPSEA).
According to reports, the mother objected to the number, which she associated with Satan and considered forbidden by the Bible.
The incident came to light after the pupil failed to report to her examination centre for the second day of the assessment. School officials contacted the family and alerted the authorities after learning that her mother had refused to let her leave home.
Jomvu Sub-County Police Commander Selina Chirchir said officers, alongside children’s officials, intervened after receiving information that the girl had been confined because of the examination number.
The pupil was eventually rescued and escorted to Kwa Jomvu Primary School, where she was allowed to sit the examination she had missed. Officials reportedly made arrangements for her to have additional time to complete the assessment.
The mother, whose identity has been withheld to protect her children, was taken into custody following the incident.
Speaking to journalists after her arrest, she defended her actions on religious grounds, describing herself as a God-fearing woman and a preacher.
The school explained that the examination number was assigned by the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC), the body responsible for administering national assessments, and was not deliberately chosen by the school.
The incident has also drawn attention to concerns about the children’s welfare. A relative alleged that the mother had previously resisted efforts to take her children to hospital when they were ill and had been involved in disagreements with family members over their education.
The allegations have raised concerns about the impact of religious beliefs on children’s access to education and essential services.
Authorities were expected to continue investigating the matter, with possible charges relating to child neglect and interference with the child’s right to education under consideration.
The KPSEA is a national assessment taken by Grade Six pupils in Kenya as part of the country’s education system.
