By Talarus Chesang
Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) candidates from Baringo dared gunshots by armed bandits’ to perform exemplary in their KCPE examination.
Baringo North Sub-County Education Officer Kiprono Langat confirmed the results saying given a peaceful environment the children would have posted even better results.
“They were surrounded by gun-wielding bandits who even shot-out during the exam time to destabilize the candidates but the police officers managed to repulse and protect the lives of the children” Lagat said on Tuesday.
However, he said 12 candidates at Tuluk Primary School managed to score over 300 marks, “including one child whose parents lost all livestock to the bandits” he said.
Four candidates managed over 300 marks at Kagir, five at Ng’aratuko while Buruyo Primary School which hosted candidates from Chepkesin Primary School which closed down owing to banditry, managed to improve its mean score from 260 to 280 marks.
The first pupils at Tuluk Primary School Purity Amdany scored 343 marks, Monica Komen 293 and Joan Kaptum 224.
At Kagir the best child Francis Kiplagat scooped 307 and Evans Morop garnered 224 marks despite the insecurity challenge.
A girl Caroline Kaptuya from Yatia Primary School managed 291 marks and in Kosile, Amos Chepchieng got 308, Nicolas Yator 303 and Viola Kaptum 259.
In Kapturo, the leading candidate Victor Yatich scored 353, Pius Chelang’a 348 and Sylvester Amdany 320 marks.
While at Kapindasum Primary in Baringo South, the first candidates Wilson Kandie posted 367 marks while 15 others scored over 300 marks.
Other schools which performed despite fears of bandit attacks are Sinoni, Kapkechir, Loruk, Kasiela, Kiserian, Mukutani, Chebinyiny, Arabal and Nyimbei, all in Baringo North and Baringo South Sub-counties.
A parent, Richard Chepchomei, has appealed to the Education Cabinet Secretary Professor Magoha to land on the ground to celebrate with the excellent candidates.
“More than 10 people were killed, we tried to convince our children, the candidates to drop their exams in order to join us to move to safer places but they declined, see now the good results they have posted” Chepchomei said.
He further said if not because of the banditry, majority of the candidates from the volatile areas of Baringo and Kerio valley would have better results.
“But we thank god for the little marks they have scored, in fact they are our heroes’ and heroines, the government should give them a special treatment even in the form one admission” Chepchomei added.
He also urged the Education CS Magoha and his Interior counterpart Dr. Fred Matiangi to tour the ground to celebrate with the children and help address the challenge of insecurity.
