Poor roads, rains hamper transport of KCSE exam papers in Nakuru

NAIROBI: The Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education examinations kicked off smoothly in various parts of Nakuru, Baringo and Samburu counties with examination papers arriving on time.

A spot check by The standard revealed that all was well on the first day of exams with an overwhelming percentage of candidates turning up.

In Nakuru, 25,995 candidates sat for the exams across all 11 sub-counties with the county’s chief education officer Joseph Tanui warning the candidates against cheating.

Mr Tanui said transportation of exam materials to parts of Kuresoi was slightly hampered by poor road network and heavy rains pounding the area.

“Because of the challenges, we have requested for four-wheel-drive vehicles that can access the area with minimal difficulties. With this learners are assured of sitting throughout the examination period without any interruption,” he said. 

Moi High School Kabarak Chief Principal Henry Kiplagat said they had prepared their candidates well and are confident they will register exemplary results come March next year.

This year, the institution registered 274 candidates compared to last year’s 272 and Kiplagat said they expect them to break the set records both at the institutional and national levels.

“The teachers have done their share and the ball is now with the candidates. They have been co-operative, focused and disciplined. We are sure they will do us proud,” said Kiplagat.

The students exuded confidence that they will pass. They were frisked for hours, shoes removed and their pullovers taken away to curb malpractices.

CATTLE RUSTLING

The Class of 2013 had a mean score of 79.862, the institution’s highest since inception in 1979.

The school, a brainchild of Kenya’s second President, Daniel arap Moi, was ranked second nationally and was the best in Nakuru.

At Menengai high school, 236 candidates sat for their English paper one and two without any interruption or irregularities.

In Baringo County, 6,500 candidates sat for the exams across the six sub-counties including those in the cattle rustling-prone areas of Baringo North and Baringo South constituencies.

However, the county’s director of education Daniel Mosbei said they experienced minor challenges including rains and shortage of vehicles to transport exam papers to various centres.

In Samburu, an increase of candidates from last year's number was registered with a total of 750 candidates sitting for the exams.