KCPE candidates in Baringo write their exam amid gunshot sounds

The insecurity experience in Baringo South reared its ugly face again when armed bandits raided Kapkosum village in broad daylight, scaring candidates who were writing their national examination at two nearby schools.

Villagers were forced to flee for safety as gunshots rented the air at the village where the attackers burnt a motorcycle and shot indiscriminately at fleeing villagers.

Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) exams that were ongoing at Kapkechir and Karnee Primary schools were disrupted temporarily due to the sound of heavy gunshots.

Armed security men who were deployed at the institutions cocked their guns ready for action as they scoured the school vicinity for any danger.

It took the three officers a few minutes to realise that the bandits had entered a homestead nearby and torched a motorcycle. The exams continued uninterrupted.

Tension remained high in the area with learners having to endure the unending sound of gunshots coming from either the bandits or the security forces.

Locals could be seen fleeing their homes in Kapkosum village.

While the locals fled, candidates writing their English language papers at Karnee Primary School went into a panic mode but later continued with their exams after assurance from police officers and government officials supervising the exams.

Locals and teachers who spoke to The Standard demanded that the government relocates the examination centre from Kapkechir and Karnee Primary schools to a more secure place.

“These are terrorists, we demand that the government takes action,” said Mr Musa Cheptoo.

Mr Cheptoo said President Uhuru Kenyatta should intervene as the Commander in Chief of the Armed forces.

He said the government should stop feigning dumbness and act on the issues that the community has raised with local authorities over insecurity in Baringo South. 

A teacher in one of the exam centres, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said while they were willing to work, they could no longer risk their lives.

The teacher noted that the candidates sat the exams in fear.

“The candidates are physically in class but mentally away. They are doing the exams in fear,” said the teacher.

Another teacher said with the attacks, learners were not ready having been on and off the school. With displacement, some of the candidates had moved far away.

Three of the candidates had to be ferried in police vehicles and under heavy escort from Mogotio town to Mochongoi High School, approximately 40 kilometres away to write their exams.

Sources told The Standard that tracing of the students started on Saturday.

Education Cabinet Secretary George Magoha said enough security personnel have been deployed in banditry-prone areas to ensure candidates sit exams in peace.

“I am liaising with Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i who has availed helicopters and deployed security officers in Kerio valley to assure learners of security,” said Prof Magoha.

According to the CS, all the candidates in insecure areas will be fed by the government and will stay in school until the exams are over.

“We have been able to trace and account for all the 40 candidates from Kasiela and Sinoni Primary Schools following last Friday’s skirmishes,” said Rift Valley Regional Commissioner Mr Mohamed Maalim.

The Regional Commissioner said at least 162,366 boys and 159, 846 girls in the region. 7, 350 examination centers.

Baringo County Commissioner Mr Abdirsack Jaldesa yesterday said 18,342 candidates sat the exams in the county.

“Exams are going on well, and so far the process is smooth, candidates will be able to sit for exams in the affected areas without any problem,” said Mr Jaldesa.

Additional reporting by Benard Lusigi