KCSE: One candidate dies in Meru

One(1) of Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE 2024) candidates in Meru has been confirmed dead.

This transpired as candidates all over the country started their form four examinations (KCSE) on Monday.

The student who was to sit his exams at Kamaro secondary school in Tigania West sub-County, Meru County passed away Sunday night.

Confirming the incident while supervising the opening of the said examination container at Kiirua, in Buuri East sub county at the Deputy County Commissioner’s office, Meru County Commissioner Jacob Ouma, said two(2) other female candidates will do their examinations in the hospital after being admitted and giving birth.

Mr Ouma said Meru County has 29,148 candidates in 412 KCSE exam centres where among them, 13,907 are male and 15,241 are female.

He said 12 male inmates will be doing their exams from different prisons within the county.

Additionally, the Meru County commissioner has said that 151 adults are sitting for their KCSE exams in various examination centers in the county.

“We have 412 Kenya Certificate of Secondary schools examination centres with 29148 students where 1397 are boys while 15241 are girls. There are 151 elderly people and 12 prisoners are doing these exam tests. We are sad that by 12am today (Monday) we have lost one(1) student while two(2) girls gave birth at the Meru Level 5 Hospital,” Mr Ouma said.

He has given a strong warning to those who will try to cheat noting that all security agencies and officers within the county are on high alert.

To fight cheating, Mr Ouma said examination centres, administrators and supervisors this year have been moved from the schools they used to supervise to other different schools.

"Centre managers, invigilators, police officers and supervisors and all those involved have been briefed that whoever thinks they can interrupt ongoing exam exercises should be arrested and charged. We want students to be given ample time to finish their exams without any altercation. Security is tight and everything is to be handled in case of any exam cheating inconveniences," he said.