Cabinet Secretaries, PSs monitor KCPE exams

Education CS Prof. George Magoha inspects Greenfield Primary School at Changamwe Sub County in Mombasa. [Omondi Onyango/Standard]

For the third year running, Cabinet secretaries, Chief Administrative Secretaries, Principal Secretaries and senior Government officials took part in the administration of national examinations yesterday.

From opening metallic containers at 6am to impromptu visits to schools and examination centres, the officials raised the security bar again in the high- stake tests.

More than eight CSs, scores of PSs and CEOs of Semi-Autonomous Government Agencies (SAGAs) were seen in various examination centres overseeing the smooth administration of the tests.

Education Cabinet Secretary George Magoha led his colleagues, including Attorney General Kihara Kariuki, who were spread across various counties to monitor examinations.

Others were Cabinet Secretaries Fred Matiang'i (Interior), James Macharia (Transport), Najib Balala (Tourism), Monica Juma (Foreign Affairs), Joe Mucheru (ICT) and Margaret Kobia (Public Service).

Education CASs Collete Suda, Belio Kipsang (Basic Education), Kevit Desai (Vocational and Technical Education), Esther Koimett (Transport) and Joseph Njoroge (Energy) participated in the process.

Kenya National Examination Council (Knec) chairman John Onsati, Teachers Service Commission (TSC) boss Nancy Macharia, Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD) secretary Jwan Julius and Director General of Education Elyas Abdi were also spread across the country to monitor examinations.

Prof Magoha yesterday appreciated efforts put by his Cabinet colleagues in the administration of the exercise.

“I thank all my Cabinet colleagues for joining in and all PSs, as we supervise the exams together,” said Magoha.

The CS said high-level Government presence at examination centres was part of President Uhuru Kenyatta’s directive on collective delivery.

“The effective administration of the 2018 KCPE is a good reflection of a Government that delivers as one in strict reflection of President Uhuru Kenyatta’s directive," said Magoha.

He said the presence of top officials in the administration of the national examinations showed the importance that the Government attached to the integrity of such tests, and their impact on the future of all children.

Mr Balala supervised the opening of Nairobi's Westlands examinations container and distribution of the day one papers.

"I congratulate the teachers who lead our children and put in hard work,” he said.

CS Juma was in Mwingi, as Education PS Kipsang witnessed an examination package in Manyatta Primary School in Kisumu.

Dr Macharia was in Naivasha, where she said adequate measures had been put in place to curb cheating.

Director for Secondary Education Paul Kibet supervised examination administration in Machakos County.