Candidates in 12 schools in Baringo risk missing national exams

More than 500 KCPE and KCSE candidates from the volatile areas of Baringo, Elgeyo Marakwet, and West Pokot counties will be relocated to secure, alternative examination centers for their security during the exam period which starts next week.

Rift Valley Regional Commissioner Mohammed Maalim says a number of public day schools will also be converted to temporary boarding schools due to unavailability of close examination centers.

The fate of the candidates from the Kerio Valley is in doubt as many parents ponder the new strategy, the safety of their children during the exam period, and the proximity of the new education centers to their homes.

About 1,225, 693 KCPE candidates and 831,026 KCSE Candidates will sit their national exams from March 7 and February 28, 2022 respectively.

The fate of 500 candidates from the Kerio Valley belt hangs in the balance as rampant insecurity in Elgeyo Marakwet, Baringo and West Pokot Counties poses a risk to them and their quest for education.

Security officials and education stakeholders from the Rift Valley region are now in limbo as they seek to ensure the safety of candidates.

A meeting convened by the Rift Valley Regional Commissioner Mohammed Maalim on Thursday afternoon in Nakuru resolved to have candidates from volatile areas transferred to alternative examination centers.

“There has been a lot of fear that how will the candidates be sitting for exams…in the case of West Pokot we have 5 schools affected… what we have done is to relocate candidates to an alternative centre,” said RC Maalim.

Primary and secondary school learners in Baringo County were hardest hit by insecurity cases as more than 7 schools remain closed.

Candidates from Kapkechir Primary School will be relocated to Karne Primary School which is 5 kilometers apart.

Candidates from Kasiela will also find a new examination center, Sinoni Primary School.

2021 candidates from Arabal Primary School and Tuiyotich Primary and Secondary schools which were shut will also be transferred to Chemorogion Primary.

The new raft of measures, however, does not augur well with local leaders who say the government’s stance has come a little too late especially due to the distance between the alternative examination centers and homes.

Baringo Woman Rep Gladwell Tungo said: “Kama inawezekana wapelekewe mtihani zao in their places, after all ata hawako shule, wako chini ya miti.”

Maalim however assures parents that proper safety guidelines have been put in place, as he called on politicians to keep off the volatile zones until the examination period comes to an end in April.

The latest developments were informed by the heightened insecurity challenges that left a school bus driver dead, 13 students and 2 teachers from Tot High school nursing wounds after bandits attacked them last week.

A PTA teacher also died on Saturday when bandits staged an attack in Arror, Elgeyo Marakwet County.