KPSEA kicks off amid uneasy in some regions

Eastern region coordinator Paul Rotich accompanied by the regional security committee and educational officials witnessed the opening of the KNEC Container at Mwea DCCs in Karaba, Embu County on day one of KIPSEA Exams. [Muriithi Mugo, Standard]

The Kenya Primary School Education Assessment (KPSEA) commenced yesterday, with only a few challenges reported.

A total of 1,303,913 candidates are expected to take the exam in 35,573 centres nationwide.

However, security concerns have impacted some areas, particularly in Tana North and Bangale sub-counties, where recent deadly attacks left 19 people dead, leading to school closures.

To ensure the safety of exam candidates, Tana River County Commissioner David Koskei announced that all candidates in Bura Constituency will sit the KPSEA exams at Nanighi village, where security forces have set up camps.

A significant security presence has been stationed in the area for over a month to counter threats and ensure a smooth exam period.

According to Tana North Sub-County Education Director Feiswali Obbo, each exam centre is equipped with a supervisor, invigilator, and police officer to maintain order.

“No candidate will miss their exam despite being relocated from their original schools,” Obbo assured The Standard in a phone interview.

In Bangale, Deputy County Commissioner Joseph Kipkorir reported that schools have resumed normal operations.

“We have sufficient security in place, and students have returned to previously deserted schools to sit their exams,” he stated.

Many schools in conflict-affected regions remain sparsely populated, as clashes between communities over land and water have forced families and teachers to flee.

County Director of Education Celestine Mwasaru noted that teachers are reluctant to return to some schools, citing safety concerns.

KNEC standards

Meanwhile, in Narok, Trans Mara East Sub-County Director of Education Walter Sirengo Wanjala warned that any exam officials found assisting candidates with exam irregularities would face legal repercussions.

“Centre managers, supervisors, and invigilators must uphold their responsibilities as per the Kenya National Examination Council guidelines,” he stressed.

In Trans Mara East alone, 9,736 candidates are set to take their exams, with 5,792 sitting for KPSEA across 100 centres, and 3,944 sitting for the KCSE.

In Homa Bay, County Commissioner Moses Lilan emphasised that the exams should adhere strictly to Kenya National Examination Council standards. “Anyone found engaging in exam irregularities will face severe penalties,” he reiterated.

A total of 35,526 Grade 6 candidates are expected to sit for exams in Homa Bay, while Migori County has 41,375 candidates taking the exam in 912 centres.

Long journeys

In Rongo Sub-County, Deputy County Commissioner George Matundura reported that 107 centres received KPSEA exam papers.

He appealed to families conducting funerals to minimise disruptions during the examination period, calling for a temporary ban on ‘disco matangas’ and asking parents to ensure schoolchildren are not found in gold mines.

Rose Hill School Director Rose Misori praised the Kenya National Examination Council for allowing schools with fewer than 30 candidates to host exams on-site, saving students from long journeys.

“The exam process has been smooth, with timely delivery of papers and well-prepared candidates,” Misori said.

In Nyamira, the number of boys sitting for the exam (9,268) surpasses that of girls (8,277), spread across 353 schools in the county. County Commissioner Erastus Mbui reiterated Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba’s pledge to curb exam malpractice by establishing specialised judiciary processes to expedite cases.

Over the weekend, Education CS Ogamba toured Kisii and Nyamira counties, underscoring the Government’s commitment to fighting exam fraud through increased judicial involvement.

Reports by Hassan Barisa, Caleb Kingwara, Kiprono Kurgat, Stanley Ongwae, Anne Atieno