The government will relocate learners sitting national examinations from high-risk areas in Elgeyo Marakwet after deadly mudslides triggered by heavy rains cut off access to several schools.
The move comes as the Kenya Junior Secondary Education Assessment (KJSEA) and Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) exams begin.
Authorities have assured that no candidate will be stranded or disadvantaged due to the disaster.
Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba said disaster response teams and education officials are already on the ground assessing the situation.
He confirmed that learners affected by the landslides would be safely moved to secure examination centres.
“It is a tragedy. Mudslides have taken lives and injured many people. Government disaster management teams have moved there. We also have teams on the ground to find out which schools have been affected,” he said.
Speaking in Mombasa during a meeting for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions, Ogamba said the ministry is awaiting detailed reports from affected regions before finalising relocation plans.
He added that special arrangements will be made for students whose schools are inaccessible due to damaged infrastructure.
“If there are such schools, we will make arrangements to ensure students do not miss the examinations,” he said.
The CS noted that learners in isolated villages would be relocated using air support where necessary to ensure they reach safer centres in time for their exams.
“On getting the report, we will put in place mechanisms to ensure they do not miss the exams,” he added.
Ogamba said the priority is to provide a calm and secure environment for candidates in areas hit by floods and landslides so they can sit their exams without fear or interruption.
Teachers, exam supervisors and emergency teams are collaborating to ensure the process runs smoothly.
The KJSEA exams are currently underway, following the completion of the Kenya Primary School Education Assessment (KPSEA) last week.
These tests are a milestone for the first Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) cohort, who are expected to transition to senior school in 2026 after results are released.
