Candidate dies, four give birth as KCSE kicks off

Education PS Belio Kipsang and TSC Chief Executive Nancy Macharia oversee the distribution of KCSE examination papers at Mombasa Provincial Headquarters, on November 4, 2024. [Robert Menza, Standard]

A Form Four candidate died in Meru hours before the 2024 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examinations kicked off Monday.

Details about the death of the candidate are yet to be made public.

Authorities reported that four other candidates in Meru, Narok, and Nakuru counties gave birth and were forced to sit exams in hospitals.

Meru County Commissioner Jacob Ouma and County Education Officer Joseph Maki, who supervised the distribution of exam papers assured candidates and parents of security.

"All relevant security, exam management, and other important measures had been taken to protect the integrity of the exams," Juma said.

In Narok county, a candidate at Chepkoiyet Secondary School in Trans Mara East constituency gave birth to twins at Ndanai Hospital in the neighbouring Bomet county.

In Meru, two candidates gave birth at a public hospital in Imenti North Sub County.

In Nakuru, a candidate was rushed to Mother and Baby Maternity Hospital after she developed labour pains a few minutes before the exams kicked off.

Nakuru East Deputy County Commissioner Were Simiyu said: "The student is in stable condition and we are in talks with the medical doctors attending to her. Once she is in a position to sit for the paper, she shall be facilitated."

Security was tight in exam centres in Meru schools, with schools management and education officials restricting movement.

Some 181 over-age candidates will sit for KCSE in five exam centers in Meru which has a total of 29, 148 candidates.

The local GK Prison has 12 inmates sitting for the exams.

Ouma warned education officials against exam irregularities.

Trans Mara East Sub-County Director of Education Walter Wanjala said the girl who gave birth was rushed to the hospital two weeks ago after she developed labor pains and delivered twins.

"She has to sit for her exams at the hospital after the twin babies were put in an incubator. The babies and the mother are doing well," Wanjala said.

He said the examinations kicked off smoothly despite the few vehicles transporting the papers in the county.

Narok county has a total of 3944 candidates sitting for KCSE in 36 centers.

Wanjala raised concern over the poor road network leading to some schools saying this may affect the delivery of exams papers.

“Lack of vehicles and poor road network hinders the smooth collection of exam papers, but we will do everything possible to ensure the exams are delivered on time," he told The Standard.

Migori County Commissioner Kisilu Mutua, Education Director Jacob Onyiego and County Commander Francis Nguli assured the candidates of security throughout the exam period.

Mr Mutua said that the exam materials were properly sealed and each paper had the students’ names and measures have been put in place to curb irregularities.

“We have placed our officers in every centre. We have talked with teachers and our officers and we are hopeful that there will be no case of exams irregularities,” the administrator said.

A total of 26, 989 candidates are sitting for KCSE in 312 centres in the county.

Mutua said that some learners would sit for the exams in hospital and no inmates had registered for KCSE.

In Nakuru, the exercise kicked off smoothly with 107,529 candidates sitting for the exams.

Examination materials were delivered to 23 public schools and one private exam centre with 16 candidates.

“We have deployed enough supervisors, invigilators and security officers to ensure the examinations go on uninterrupted," said Nakuru East Deputy Sub County Commissioner Were Simiyu.

Nakuru East Sub County Director of Education Job Kaikai said that no incidents had been reported by midday and that they were hoping for a calm period.

“Apart from the expectant student under doctors care, we have not had any other incidents. The weather has allowed for the materials to be delivered on time to all schools," said Kaikai.

In Mombasa county, Basic Education Principal Secretary Belio Kipsang assured candidates of security.

The PS who was accompanied by Teachers Service Commission (TSC) CEO Nancy Macharia witnessed the distribution of the exam papers.

Dr Kipsang said that Regional Commissioners made adequate security arrangements and the exams kicked off smoothly across the country.

“Even in some of the difficult regions that we have always had challenges like the North Rift it has been quiet which is very good for our children,” he said.

The PS reiterated that they are determined to have credible exams through a well-coordinated multi-agency approach.

“We are going to continue using the multi-agency team because each member has their strength. We have DCI for investigations, police to provide necessary security, our teachers to make sure professional practice is maintained and our officers in the field to support the teachers,” he said.

Meanwhile, Kipsang has said that necessary arrangements have been made for students who sat for the ‘fake’ KPSEA in Uasin Gishu county.

“I want to assure you that action has been taken, the Director and Owner of the school have been taken to court,” he said.

“We have already taken action against our officers overseeing that area. It was an unfortunate situation but we have dealt with it. The law has taken its course,” he said.

The PS announced that examinations are underway in areas that were declared disturbed in Tana River county following inter-communal clashes.

TSC Chief Executive Officer Macharia assured that teachers involved in the administration of national examinations have been vetted.

“But in the unlikely event that something happens and it touches on our teachers of course the law will take its course,” she said.

- Reports by Phares Mutembei, Sophia Matoya and Anne Atieno