Police Constable Gladys Kimani received praises from her colleagues as well as the public after she volunteered to take care of a newborn baby while its mother sat her first Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE).
In an exclusive interview with Kenyans.co.ke, the Constable noted that the candidate had just delivered on the morning of Monday, November 28, a few hours before the mathematics paper.
She further disclosed that she offered to volunteer after noticing that the teacher was ready to distribute the exam yet she did not have a helper at hand.
"The girl delivered on Monday morning before she sat for the examination. I was deployed there since she was sitting for the exam and there was nobody to help her.
"As the teacher was giving her the exam, I decided to assist," the Police Constable, who is attached to Nyamarambe Police Station in Kisii County, stated.
Kimani noted that she was worried for the candidate who was yet to receive a visitor from her household or help from the state.
She further disclosed that girl's health was still not stable although that of her baby was good.
"The mother is not well. Even today (Tuesday), she sat for the first paper lying on the bed. The mother seems to be so vulnerable. From yesterday, I have not seen anyone from her home. I brought her clothes, pampers and clothes for the infant. The baby is fine.
"The girl comes from a very needy family. Her mother suffers from a mental illness. The two were living with her grandmother," she added.
As the national examinations kicked off on Monday, the latest data showed that a number of girls would sit for their papers while pregnant.
In Kajiado County for instance, authorities indicated that ambulances had been put on standby to cater to 248 candidates sitting the exams while pregnant.
In the South Rift region, 317 will be sitting for the examinations while pregnant while in Kilifi, 100 candidates are expectant.
