The Kenya Certificate of Secondary School Examination (KCSE) common papers have officially started across the country and a total of 903,260 candidates are expected to write the tests.
Speaking when she supervised the distribution of the examination papers at the Nyeri Central sub-county container, Central Region Director of Education, Sabina Aroni, said that the five counties of Kiambu, Kirinyaga, Murang’a, Nyandarua and Nyeri which make up the region are prepared for the examinations.
She also reassured the candidates that despite the heavy rains that have continued to pound the region, the Ministry of Education was working closely with other state agencies to ensure the distribution of examination papers goes on smoothly.
The Nyeri county disaster committee had issued alerts of possible flooding in Kieni East and Kieni West sub-counties. The committee had also warned of possible landslides in Mukurwe-ini and Tetu sub-counties.
“We have witnessed increased rainfall in the last couple of days. Parts of the region like Kieni East and Kieni West, Mwea(Kirinyaga) and parts of Murang’a might be affected. According to our assessment, the challenges are not major because it is just that the roads may be slippery,” she said.
“But we have advised that officers should not brave the heavy rains with the exams. They should consult with their seniors and wait for the rains to subside so that we secure the exam,” she added.
This year, the region has registered a total of 119,396 candidates in 1301 centres,out of these 1,114 are private candidates who will be writing their examinations in 41 centres across the region.
In Nyeri county, a total of 19,856 candidates comprising of 9,998 male and 9,858 female candidates will write the 2023 KCSE exams. This number comprises of 210 male and 585 female private candidates while four inmates will be writing their examinations from the Nyeri Maximum prison.
This morning the candidates will write their Chemistry paper and English Paper 1(Functional skills) and English paper 2(Comprehension) in the afternoon. The examinations are expected to end on November 24 when candidates will tackle their Physics practical test.
By Wangari Mwangi
