Baringo KCPE candidates perform well despite banditry attacks

Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) candidates from Baringo county braved gunshots attacks to post impressive results in the 2021 KCPE exams results. 

Baringo North Sub-County Education Officer Kiprono Langat told the Star that if the candidates were accorded a more conducive environment, they would have performed better.

“They were surrounded by gun-wielding bandits who even attacked villages during the exam time. This definitely destabilized the candidates despite the fact that the police officers managed to repulse and protect the lives of the children,” Lagat said on Tuesday.

He said 12 candidates at Tuluk primary school managed to score over 300 marks, “including one child whose parents lost all livestock to the bandits”.

Four candidates managed over 300 marks at Kagir, five at Ng’aratuko achieved similar performance.

Buruyo primary school which hosted candidates from Chepkesin primary and closed down owing to banditry attacks managed to improve its mean score from 260 to 280 marks.

The first pupils at Tuluk primary school Purity Amdany scored 343 marks, Monica Komen 293 and Joan Kaptum 224.

At Kagir, the best child Francis Kiplagat scooped 307 marks despite the insecurity challenge.

A girl Caroline Kaptuya from Yatia primary school managed 291 marks and in Kosile, Amos Chepchieng got 308, Nicolas Yator 303 and Viola Kaptum 259.

In Kapturo, the leading candidate Victor Yatich scored 353, Pius Chelang’a 348 and Sylvester Amdany 320 marks.

While at Kapndasum primary in Baringo South, the first candidate Wilson Kandie posted 367 marks while 15 others scored over 300 marks.

Other schools which performed despite fears of bandit attacks are Marigat, Sinoni, Kapkechir, Loruk, Kasiela, Kiserian, Mukutani, Chebinyiny, Arabal and Nyimbei both in Baringo North and Baringo South Sub-counties.

A parent Richard Chepchomei however appealed to the Education Cabinet Secretary George Magoha to recognize the efforts made by the candidates.

“In fact, more than 10 people were killed, we tried to convince our children, the candidates, to drop their exams and join us to move to safer places but they declined, see now the good results they have posted,” Chepchomei said.

He further said if not because of the banditry attacks, the majority if not all the KCPE candidates from the volatile areas of Baringo and Kerio valley would have scored at least above 300 or 400 marks.

“But we thank god for the little marks they have scored, in fact, they are our heroes and heroines of the day. The government should give them special treatment even in the form of one admission,” Chepchomei said.

He also urged the Interior Cabinet Secretary (CS) Dr Fred Matiangi to fast-track measures to flash out the bandits and restore peace and sanity before schools open next month.