President Uhuru Kenyatta has encouraged students preparing to take their national exams later this month, in a speech he read at State House on Friday, March 12.
Kenyatta acknowledged that the examinations had been marred with a number of challenges owing to the Covid-19 situation in the country.
"Sitting for your examinations after having been out of class for over six (6) months, know that the entire country and I are rooting for you," Kenyatta stated.
"To our Grade 4, Class 8, and Form 4 Candidates; I convey my best wishes to you all and I pray that your efforts will bear a bountiful harvest," he added.
The KCPE candidates are set to begin their examinations on March 22, 2021 while the KCSE will begin on March 26, 2021.
1,088,986 candidates are expected to sit for KCPE while 699,745 students will take the KCSE.
Education CS George Magoha has warned that no Centre Manager should turn up at an examination centre to collect or drop off examinations without wearing a face mask.
He added that all officials at examination centres must use sanitizer or wash hands before handling examination materials in a bid to curb the spread of Covid-19.
At the same time, Magoha warned the students against cheating in the exams. Specifically, he warned candidates over a plan to use masks to cheat in the national examinations.
"We know that some of you are planning to use masks to cheat. Do not make such attempts because we shall frisk you and if caught, it's up to you," he said.
The candidates will be asked to lower their masks during identification to counter impersonation.
