The Department of Education in Tharaka Nithi County has assured parents and candidates that preparations for the forthcoming national examinations have been finalised, with adequate security and logistics in place to ensure a smooth and credible exercise.
County Director of Education Mbugua Kabaki said the county is ready to host candidates for the three upcoming national examinations: the Kenya Primary School Education Assessment (KPSEA), the Kenya Junior Secondary Education Assessment (KJSEA) for Grade 9, and the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) for four students.
Addressing Journalists in his office, Mr Kabaki said a total of 13,406 Grade 6 candidates will sit for KPSEA in 440 centers, while 11,628 learners in Grade 9 will undertake their assessment in 377 centers. A further 13,004 candidates will sit for the KCSE in 174 secondary schools across the county.
“All private candidates will be hosted in a designated examination centre to ensure proper coordination and supervision,” said Mr Kabaki.
He noted that the Ministry of Education, in collaboration with other government agencies, has put in place contingency measures to address logistical challenges, especially in areas prone to poor road conditions during the rainy season.
“We have arranged for a standby vehicle to access examination centers that may become impassable in case of heavy rains to ensure exam materials are delivered and collected on time,” he said.
Kabaki also appealed to residents to maintain a calm and quiet environment around schools during the examination period. “We urge community members, especially boda boda operators, to minimise noise near learning institutions so that candidates can concentrate during this critical time,” he emphasised.
To uphold examination integrity, the director said a multi-agency team comprising education officers, security personnel, and local administrators will oversee the process to ensure transparency and curb malpractices.
On his part, County Police Commander Zacchaeus Ng’eno assured that adequate security arrangements have been made for the safe storage and transportation of examination materials across all centers.
“Our officers are on standby and will be deployed to every examination centre to guarantee safety for learners, invigilators, and supervisors,” Ng’eno affirmed.
The national examination rehearsals for Form Four candidates began on October 17, paving the way for the official start of the 2025 national examinations on November 3. This exam will run until November 21.
Kabaki expressed confidence that Tharaka Nithi County is well-prepared to deliver credible examinations, marking a key milestone for thousands of learners transitioning to the next phase of their education.
By Dickson Mwiti and Christine Ngitori
