Exams: Candidates moved as security is heightened in Rift Valley

Security has been heightened in the Rift Valley Region ahead of Kenya Certificate of Primary Education examination (KCPE), which kicks off on November 28.

Regional Commissioner Mr Maalim Mohammed said various state agencies including National Government Administration Agency (NGAO) National Police Service (NPS), and Teachers Service Commission (TSC) in Rift Valley were ready for the exercise to be administered by the Kenya National Examination Council (KNEC).

Mr Maalim said armed security officers will be deployed in all areas where test materials will be stored, administered, and when on transit.

“Good management of national examinations will depend on the integrity of the personnel involved in security, supervision and invigilation since they are in direct contact with the candidates. Every examination center will be manned by at least two armed officers,” he stated.

A total of 351,751 Grade Six pupils and 353,636 Standard 8 candidates will sit for their final Kenya Primary School Education Assessment (KPSEA) and KCPE examinations respectively in 8,343 centres across the rift valley region. An additional 153 KCPE candidates will write their exams from borstal institutions with 303 others sitting as private candidates.

Overall 244,951 candidates will sit Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) in the region, with 23 more registered in borstal institutions and a further 1,032 sitting as private candidates.

He announced that 18 KCPE candidates and 14 KPSEA Grade six pupils from Arabal Primary school and 36 KCPE candidates from Kapindasum Primary School in Baringo County had been relocated to Chimoriongon Primary School after bandits vandalized facilities at the institutions.

“Unknown criminals sneaked into Arabal and Kapindasum Primary Schools where they burnt desks, pupils’ exercise books and textbooks. This is an act of sabotage by criminal elements who want outdated cultures to persist. We will not allow that to happen,” warned the Regional Commissioner.

Speaking after holding a meeting with County Commissioners, police commanders and education officials from the 14 devolved units in the region to review preparations ahead of the examination Mr Maalim said enough officers had been deployed to schools in Baringo and Elgeyo Marakwet that have previously affected by banditry and armed conflicts adding that the state was in the process of vetting and recruiting National Police Reservists (NPR) to bolster security in restive parts of the region.

He warned “strangers” against setting their foot in or near examination centers.

“Our working definition of a stranger is anybody who is not a candidate, centre manager, supervisor, security officer or an education officer. Let us act firmly in the interest of our children, anyone who breaches any aspect of examination will be apprehended,” he explained

The administrator added “I want to wish them well and they will do well. Measures have been put in place to ensure that candidates sit the examination at the appropriate time. The government has put in place measures to ensure credible examination,”

He assured candidates that enough transportation arrangements had been put in place to ensure examination papers, invigilators, supervisors and security personnel reach all centers.

The Regional Commissioner warned “We will arrest any individual possessing or purporting to have examination materials before scheduled time,”

He assured residents that the government was committed to ensuring that all the schools that were closed in restive parts of region due to insecurity are reopened next year.

The Regional Commissioner disclosed that the 14 county and sub county security teams had put in place adequate measures to ensure the examination papers were properly guarded before, during and even after the candidates had done the same.

“We have deployed enough security personnel that will man all Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) and Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) exam containers and centres in the county,” he assured

He underscored the need for the education officers, particularly the principals who will act as examination centre managers, to ensure the forthcoming examinations were managed in strict adherence to regulations spelled out by the examination body.

“We urge principals, head teachers, invigilators and supervisors in charge to ensure the KCSE and KCPE exams are free of any malpractices such as cheating,”

Maalim also indicated that all the examination centres in the region would be provided with adequate security personnel throughout the examination period.

“We will not take any chances in this critical time for our children.We wish to assure the parents, teachers and students in the affected areas that their safety is guaranteed,” said Mr Maalim

Examination materials will be kept in 135 containers set up in the sub-counties under the management of sub-county commissioners and sub- county education officers.

He assured candidates that enough transportation arrangements had been put in place to ensure examination papers, invigilators, supervisors and security personnel reach all centers.

“Our concern is heavy rains that have increased and with the bad roads in rural areas, we expect some challenges. We have mapped out all areas and we are working closely with sub-county education officers who are on the ground to ensure the success of the examination,” he said.

He added that motorbikes assigned to local administrators and choppers would be on standby to deliver papers and personnel to areas inaccessible by four-wheel vehicles

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