Security strengthened as exams start in Garissa

Exam containers at the Garissa county commissioner’s office.

The government is fully prepared for the smooth and secure administration of the national examinations in Garissa, deputy county commissioner Sabastian Okiring has assured.

He said the national government, through its various agencies, has made all necessary preparations to ensure the exams proceed smoothly, safely and successfully.

Okiring spoke at the county commissioner’s office after receiving additional examination containers.

“The Ministry of Education, in close coordination with the Kenya National Examinations Council (Knec) and the Ministry of Interior, has put in place adequate measures to ensure the entire examination process is conducted with the utmost integrity, transparency and efficiency,” he said.

Okiring, who was flanked by officers tasked with managing the exams, said the addition of examination containers was brought about by the increase in the number of exams that will be administered.

"As you are aware, Garissa plays hosts to peripheral subcounties where their examination materials have to be airlifted from the town. They are usually stored in Garissa pending their airlift to their respective subcounties. That is why there are quite a number of containers given to take care of that additional requirement for capacity,” he said.

The subcounties are ijara, Bothai, Hulugho, Bura East and part of Liboi.

The exams being administered include the Kenya Certificate of Secondary School (KCSE) that is currently running, the Kenya Primary Schools examinations assessment (KPSEA), and the Kenya Junior Secondary Examination Assessment (KJSEA).

In Garissa subcounty, the KPSEA will be administered in 25 public schools and 68 private schools, while KJSEA will be administered in 26 public schools and 27 private schools. KSCE will be administered in 11 schools and 25 private schools.

“As far as we are concerned, we are ready and prepared. The security arrangements have been properly made, and transport arrangements are well taken care of. So we don’t expect any hitch during the administration of these exams,” Okiring said.