Seven of the 15 inmates sitting the KCSE exam in Naivasha Prison are serving life sentences.
However, one of the inmates missed out on the national exams after being transferred to another correctional facility. The candidates have exuded confidence they will get good grades despite the challenges that come with one being behind bars.
Among the inmates is 50-year-old Dominic Onyango who is serving 20 years for robbery while the youngest is 25-year-old Gilbert Chirchir.
Despite the challenges in the prison, Onyango said he is ready for a second chance after missing out on the exams before he was jailed.
He called for more support from the government towards the education sector, which has turned out to be the main source of rehabilitation.
“The biggest challenge we have recorded is practical exams as we have to use nearby schools as we do not have a lab here,” Onyango said.
Officer in charge of the prison Hassan Tari said they are optimistic that the inmates will perform well in the exam.
“The examination materials reached the prison in time and all the inmates were present apart from those who have been transferred or set free,” he said.
He said the prison department had provided all the required support to the inmates as education had turned out to be a tool of rehabilitation.
"The exams started in time and the inmates have exuded confidence of performing well amid few emerging challenges," he said.
Naivasha subcounty education officer Nancy Mutai said no hiccups had been reported despite heavy rains pounding parts of the constituency.
“All the schools received the exams materials at the right time and we have not recorded any challenge on the first day,” she said.
