The Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examinations in Kericho East Sub-County entered Second-Day of major papers, Tuesday, with education and security officials reporting coordinated efforts, to ensure the smooth and timely administration of the national examinations.

The Deputy County Commissioner (DCC) for Kericho East, Stella Wanyela, said the Sub-county had put in place logistical and security arrangements, to facilitate the distribution of examination materials and safeguard the integrity of the exercise.

Wanyela confirmed that Mathematics Paper One had been dispatched to 38 examination centres across the Sub-county, with authorities beginning the distribution process early in the morning to avoid delays.

She said the examination materials were released from the containers at exactly 7:00 a.m., allowing centre managers to collect the papers and proceed to their respective schools, ahead of the scheduled examination time.

To ensure accountability and prevent possible interference with the transportation of examination materials, the distribution exercise is being conducted using government vehicles and school buses.

Wanyela explained that private vehicles had been excluded from the process, as part of measures to maintain control over the movement of examination papers and ensure that they reach their designated destinations intact and safely.

The Deputy County Commissioner said the Sub-county security team was working closely with education officials, the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) and the examination officer, to coordinate the exercise.

The collaboration is aimed at ensuring that all examination centres receive their papers on time, while addressing any emerging challenges that could disrupt the administration of the examinations.

However, Wanyela acknowledged that transportation could face challenges in some parts of the Sub-county, particularly due to the condition of certain road networks and the possibility of rainfall.

She noted that poor roads could slow down movement, especially for school buses navigating difficult terrain, while wet weather could further complicate access to some examination centres.

On security, the Deputy County Commissioner said each examination centre had been assigned two security officers to accompany Centre Managers and oversee the safe handling and administration of examination materials. The arrangement is intended to strengthen security at individual centres, while ensuring that officers remain available to respond to any incidents that could threaten the credibility of the examinations.

She explained that one of the officers would be responsible for monitoring the surroundings of the examination centre and preventing incidents of insecurity or any attempts to interfere with the examination process.

The presence of security personnel around the centres is also expected to discourage unauthorised access and ensure that candidates and examination officials, operate in a secure environment.

The second officer will assist in securing examination materials, including papers designated for absent candidates, as well as mobile phones belonging to invigilators, supervisors and centre managers.

Wanyela said the measures were necessary to prevent unauthorised communication and reduce opportunities for examination malpractice, during the administration of the papers.

She further emphasised that all mobile phones belonging to examination officials must be switched off and secured in designated visible desks or lockers within the examination centres. The supervisor will retain the key to the storage facility, ensuring that access to the devices remains controlled throughout the examination period and that no unauthorised person can retrieve them during the exercise.

Beyond the security arrangements at individual schools, monitoring teams have also been deployed to move between examination centres and assess compliance with the established rules and regulations.

According to Wanyela, the teams are tasked with identifying possible breaches, ensuring that examination procedures are followed and addressing any concerns that may arise as the national exercise progresses.

The Deputy County Commissioner warned that any incidents involving examination malpractice would be handled by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI).

She said the government remained committed to protecting the credibility of the national examinations and would not hesitate to take action against individuals found engaging in activities that compromise the integrity of the process.

Wishing well the candidates, Wanyela urged them to remain calm, concentrate on their examinations and avoid engaging in mischief or any form of examination malpractice.

The DCC cautioned that involvement in malpractice could have serious long-term consequences, including the permanent record of fingerprints and other evidence that could follow those implicated beyond their school years.

She encouraged candidates to approach their papers with confidence, trust in their preparation and give their best without resorting to dishonest practices.

Wanyela also wished all candidates success in their examinations, extending her goodwill to centre managers and other examination officials as they continue overseeing the exercise across the sub-county.

By Fidel Ochieng and Humphrey Edwin