Choppers to deliver KCSE exams as floods, mudslides cut off schools in Kerio Valley

Government spokesman Isaac Mwaura and Public Service CS Geoffrey Ruku speaking at the Eldoret Airstrip./MATHEWS NDANYI

The government will use choppers to airlift KCSE exams to schools in parts of Elgeyo Marakwet County affected by floods and mudslides.

One candidate who was injured in the mudslides will sit for the exams at the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital, where 28 injured victims are admitted.

Government Spokesman Isaac Mwaura said preparations for the exams are complete, with all logistics put in place.

“We already have the exams secured in safe places, and for areas affected by the floods and mudslides, we will use choppers to airlift papers and officials,” said Mwaura.

He said the government would also ensure all candidates in areas hit by the mudslides are traced and enabled to sit for their exams.

“We have teams working on the ground to ensure that the exams will go on smoothly even as we intervene to assist those affected by the mudslides,” said Mwaura.

He added that one chopper was already on standby at the Eldoret Airstrip to aid in airlifting the exams.

More than a dozen schools are said to be located in areas affected by the floods in the Kerio Valley region.

Mwaura spoke at the Eldoret Airstrip, where top government officials have camped to coordinate rescue and support activities following the mudslides in the Kerio Valley region.

Governor Wisley Rotich said counties in the North Rift have deployed machinery to help open up roads in parts of Kerio Valley.

“We have received support from KDF and several counties, including West Pokot, Uasin Gishu, and Nandi, to ensure that we open up the area and assist residents,” said Rotich.

Rotich said the county was ready to work with the national government to ensure that the exams proceed as scheduled.

Nandi Governor Stephen Sang, who is also chairman of the North Rift Economic Bloc (NOREB), said all counties would offer any necessary support for the exams.

Adequate security teams have also been deployed for the safety of the exams in the region.

Mwaura said all security agencies were on standby to support the exams in all parts of the country.

The KCSE exams will kick off this week and run for three weeks.

Among the victims admitted at the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital are ten children, some of whom are pupils at the affected schools in the region.

Dr. Phillip Cheptinga, who has been coordinating medical support for the mudslide victims, said most of them were in stable condition and receiving the necessary treatment at MTRH.