State commendation: Top examination council members get honours

CEO Kenya National Examination Council Prof George Magoha  May 18, 2016. [PHOTO: JONAH ONYANGO/STANDARD]

Top Kenya National Examinations Council (Knec) staff have been honoured for their role in restoring credibility in national examinations.

They were given Head of State Commendation (HSC) awards during the Jamuhuru Day celebrations.

Chairpersons of primary and secondary school headteachers associations were also awarded for their role in rallying teachers together during administration of the examinations.

Knec chairman George Magoha and Teachers Service Commission (TSC) Chief Executive Officer Nancy Macharia were awarded Chief of the Order of the Burning Spear (CBS). Dr Macharia is a Knec board member.

Prof Magoha praised President Uhuru Kenyatta for honouring his team, saying the council members were humbled.

“We feel energised and encouraged to work even harder because we know we are in the right direction. And we want to let Kenyans know that we are up to the task,” said Magoha.

The HSC awards are given to Kenyans who have exemplified outstanding roles while serving the country.

Knec Chief Executive Officer Mercy Karogo and her Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD) counterpart Jwan Julius were awarded Moran of the Order of the Burning Spear (MBS).

Other council members Rosemary Saina, John Onsati and Okiya Martin Onsangiri were awarded Order of the Grand Warrior of Kenya (OGW).

Primary and secondary school heads received HSC award.

Kenya Secondary School Heads Association (Kessha) national chairman Alfred Indimuli and Primary School Heads Association (Kepsha) Shem Ndolo were awarded OGW.

Primary and secondary school heads were managers of all examination centres.

Indimuli and Ndolo were awarded for good leadership of the teachers under their association and working together with Knec to deliver credible examinations.

The council members said last week that all the officials deserved the honour because the reforms initiated have yielded fruits.

Prof Magoha, a medicine professor known for his transformation and leadership in the University of Nairobi, is the person behind Knec reforms that has seen cheating in the examinations checked.

He led the examinations team to ensure there are no leakages and the results are not doctored. 

Ms Karogo is behind the day-to-day running of the council and implementing the council’s reform agenda.