The 2026 Kenya Junior School Education Assessment (KJSEA) and Kenya Primary School Education Assessment (KPSEA) examinations kicked off on Monday, October 26, with heads of institutions collecting examination papers from designated containers in sub-counties across Kenya.
The heads of institutions had been briefed by Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) officials in their respective sub-counties during the third term on how to handle examination papers.
They were taken through the procedures for collecting examination materials from the containers, transporting them in school buses or vans, and keeping them secure at their respective schools before handing them over to supervisors.
The supervisors are required to sign the relevant KNEC forms to confirm that they have received the examination papers from the centre managers in good condition.
Supervisors, invigilators and candidates had also been briefed ahead of the examinations, with rehearsals conducted on Friday, October 23, to ensure that everyone understood their responsibilities during the assessment period.
Early morning journey to collect examination papers
With all these procedures in mind, I woke up as early as 4.40 am to prepare for the journey from my home to the Rarieda examination distribution centre, where I intended to arrive before 6.00 am.
Fortunately, it was not drizzling when I left home, and I managed to reach the distribution centre safely.
At approximately 5.45 am, Rarieda Sub-county Director of Education Stanley Shitanda, Deputy County Commissioner Laura and Kenya Comprehensive Schools Heads Association (KECSHA) chairman Bernard Nyawanda addressed the heads of institutions.
They emphasised the importance of the exercise and the need to handle examination materials carefully.
At exactly 6.00 am, the examination container was opened.
Little did I know that one of the examination paper packages for my school had been placed at the top of a carton.
When the Deputy County Commissioner called out “Atemo”, I immediately stepped forward to collect the examination papers.
I felt delighted because my school was the first to be called, and I was personally present to receive the materials.
An early bird catches the worm
The experience reminded me of a familiar saying from my primary school days.
“An early bird catches the worm.”
These were words our headmaster frequently repeated during school assemblies in the early 1980s, when I was still a primary school learner.
As I reflected on the morning's events, I remembered my motorcycle journey to the Rarieda examination distribution centre.
I had travelled with the motorcycle's headlight on throughout the journey, carefully navigating the murram road.
Whenever I noticed a white patch on the road, I avoided it because I suspected it could be a pothole filled with water.
There had been rainfall during the night, leaving some sections of the road muddy and slippery.
Nevertheless, I was determined to reach the distribution centre in good time and collect the examination papers for my learners.
I knew that the examinations were an important part of their educational journey, and their welfare remained close to my heart.
I also remembered another saying: The headteacher is the school, and the school is the headteacher.”
At the examination distribution centre, whenever a school's name was called, its head of institution responded, “Yes, sir” or “Yes, madam.”
To me, this demonstrated the close relationship between a school and its headteacher, who bears responsibility for ensuring that important school activities run smoothly.
As the headteacher of Atemo Primary and Junior School, I felt proud when I was invited to take a photograph with the Sub-county Director of Education and the Deputy County Commissioner after receiving what was reportedly the first examination paper package issued at the Rarieda distribution centre in 2026.
The experience reminded me that punctuality, preparation and dedication are essential qualities in school leadership.
It was a memorable beginning to the 2026 KPSEA and KJSEA examinations.
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