By Gerald Mukembu
In a somber turn of events, a candidate sitting for the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) exams has tragically passed away in Meru, just as students across the nation embark on this pivotal academic journey.
The student, who had registered to take his exams at Kamaro Secondary School in Tigania West Sub County, lost his life last night.
Meru County Commissioner Jacob Ouma confirmed the heartbreaking news while overseeing the opening of exam containers at Kiirua in Buuri East Sub County.
Elsewhere, two female candidates who recently gave birth are continuing their exams from their hospital beds.
Ouma reported that 29,148 candidates spread across 412 exam centers, including 13,907 boys and 15,241 girls are taking the exams in Meru county. Notably, the exam slate also includes 12 male inmates participating from various prisons and 151 adult learners eager to prove their academic prowess.
“We stand with our students during this challenging time. It’s a bittersweet moment for us as we mourn the loss of one student, while others show incredible resilience,” Ouma stated.
With exam integrity a top priority, Ouma emphasized the zero-tolerance stance on cheating. All security agencies are on high alert to ensure a fair examination process.
This year, exam administrators and supervisors have been reassigned to different schools to further combat any attempts at wrongdoing.
“Everyone involved in the examination process has been briefed. Any interference or cheating will lead to immediate arrest and prosecution. Our goal is to provide an environment where students can confidently complete their exams,” he added.
