Smooth start: Over 80,000 candidates sit for exams in Migori

More than 80,000 candidates in Migori county are sitting for primary level examinations as the exercise began smoothly on Monday.

The Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) and Kenya Primary School Education Assessment (KPSEA) examinations were opened at 6 am across all ten subcounties in the county.

In Suna East subcounty the area Deputy County Commissioner Milkah Kariuki said the exercise has been smooth and that invigilators would not be allowed with cell phones at the examination centres to prevent any case of exam leakage.

"We have talked to the center managers to ensure that invigilators don't have their phones in schools cause such can also be used to do some malpractice," Kariuki said.

Migori county has 815 examination centres.

Last week, Migori County Commissioner David Gitonga said the county has no inmates or expectant candidates sitting for the exams.

This year, a total of 39,143 learners are sitting for their KPSEA examinations while 43, 137 candidates for KCPE.

At least 23,000 students who will be sitting for the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education

In 2022, the county had 37, 596 candidates sitting for KPSEA and 36, 984 candidates sitting for their KCPE.

During the joint press briefing that comprised education stakeholders and County security officials, Gitonga noted that “all the necessary preparations had been done ahead of the national examinations that will pit the Junior Secondary, grade eight as well as form four candidates."

He called on business people operating entertaining joints to “offer a conducive environment for the candidates” while banning any loud music during the examination period.

“Our concern is mainly on those operating entertainment joints and we are calling upon them to allow the candidates sit their examinations in an enabling environment without any form of deterrence. Those who will flout this directive will have their licenses revoked and stern actions taken against them,” he said.

Migori county education officer Jacob Onyiego noted that adequate preparations had been made to ensure that  candidates sitting for their exams in flood prone areas are well catered for.

“We have set everything in place and in case of any eventuality then we are ready to have the affected students evacuated to  safer examination centers. We don’t expect to witness cases of exam irregularities but should there be a case then we are up to the task,” he said.