Nakuru – The Kenyan government has intensified security operations across the country to ensure the smooth administration of the Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) and Kenya Primary School Education Assessment (KPSEA) exams. A multiagency team has been assembled to maintain the integrity of these examinations.
According to Kenya News Agency, who spoke during the distribution of examination papers in Nakuru, the government has implemented comprehensive measures, including two command centers—one at the Kenya National Examination Council (KNEC) headquarters and another at the Ministry of Interior—to coordinate and monitor the exams. Kipsang revealed that investigators are currently interrogating a teacher suspected of attempting exam cheating through multiple social media accounts.
Dr. Kipsang assured parents that no child would miss the examinations due to lack of registration, natural disasters, or insecurity. Additional security has been deployed to troubled parts of the Rift Valley region to prevent disruptions. The Principal Secretary further warned that individuals involved in any malpractice would face in-depth investigations and punitive actions.
This year marks a significant moment as it will be the last time the KCPE exam is administered, with about 1.4 million learners registered, the highest in its history. Another 1.2 million Grade Six learners are expected to sit for the KPSEA exam. According to Dr. Kipsang, these examinations will be meticulously supervised by senior government officials to ensure their integrity, both nationally and internationally, is upheld.
Efforts to streamline the process also include an increase in the number of marking centers and distribution containers. Dr. Kipsang disclosed that a total of 576 distribution containers are being used for the KCPE and KPSEA exams, while another 567 will be used for the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) exam. Regions with difficult terrains like Wajir and Marsabit will have the exams airlifted directly from Nairobi for security reasons.
The government has deployed 60,000 security agents to safeguard examination centers and ensure the exams’ credibility. Rift Valley Regional Commissioner Dr. Abdi Hassan confirmed that the government has taken comprehensive measures to secure exam centers across the region, warning that anyone attempting to disrupt the process would be dealt with severely under the law.