Riot by Maseno University students blocked vehicles, delayed KCSE

Maseno university students rioting outside their gate over what they termed as the rise of insecurity in the region barricading the busy Kisumu-Busia highway on Tuesday.[Photo: Standard/Collins Oduor]

BY KEVINE OMOLLO

Kisumu, Kenya: The Maseno University student’s riot affected the on-going Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education exams in parts of Kisumu County.

County Director of Education Beatrice Adu said the papers affected were French Paper One and Agriculture Paper One.

She said the private and police vehicles which were to be fuelled before taking off to the various examination centres were held hostage as they could not access the petrol station situated adjacent to the university.

“We had to use motorcycles to navigate through the corridors as the students had barricaded the Kisumu-Busia roads which we could use to access some areas in Kisumu North Sub-County,” she said.

Adu said even though the French paper was not taken by most students in the region, there was a little fear that the strike continuation would have disrupted the preceding papers.

Maseno University students who were protesting against alleged insecurity around the institution and shortage in accommodation spaces barricaded the road for the better part of the morning, setting a canter ablaze.

She said Chulaimbo Secondary, Maseno School, Sinyolo Girls Secondary and Homa Girls Secondary were affected as papers did not reach on time.

“Everything however went on smoothly and we are attentive to deal with any hiccup to ensure that the exams go as scheduled,” she added.

She assured examination officials and students of maximum security, urging them to report any suspicion so that action can be taken to curb any acts that may interfere with the smooth running of the examinations.

She however said the process has been smooth and no cheating or insecurity incidences have been reported.

Over 12, 000 students are sitting the examinations in the county with 108 examination centres.

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