Kenyans love trading banter and will jump on every slight opportunity to make it happened…. and yes, it has happened between Tuesday and Wednesday 31st October when President Uhuru Kenyatta and his entire cabinet went all out to ‘supervise’ exams.
From television analysists to the ruthless Kenyans on twitter aka KOT and on to the bloggers, all turned to discuss what a good move and style of leadership of how dumb it was depending on their political orientations -where their hearts lie.
One of the bloggers who engaged in this war was Jubilee’s Pauline Njoroge who was quick to comment that she could have passed with flying colours if she was the one greeting the president. Some supported but it was the complete opposite with some who emerged with their best weaponry in opposition terming her as an opportunist.
If only I had received such a handshake on exam day, I would have scored an A in math 😀
Hongera Rais na naibu wako kwa kuwapewa motisha hawa wanafunzi. This focus on the education sector is very encouraging.
— Pauline Njoroge, HSC (@paulinenjoroge) October 31, 2018
The reactions were thick and fast like the Nile during the annual rains. Not even her beauty could save her from the tackles that came flying in most definitely sending her to a long mute. This as they termed the move a wrong one and a sign of inverted priorities by the leaders who should be tackling corruption and economic empowerment with the vigor.
There were those who however believed that this was a great motivator and good example to the kids who will now approach’ed the exams with more determination and confidence after seeing the backing that they needed.
Hard tackle but referee says play on
— peter malemba (@petermalemba) October 31, 2018
This motivation however seem to have extended to some counties as several shocking cases were reported around the country; from cheating to even death of candidates in mysterious circumstances. In the most conspicuous, a class eight candidate is set to miss the rest of his KCPE exams after taking poison on Tuesday evening.
According to details, the pupil from Koyoo Primary School in Rangwe Constituency, Homa Bay County is currently admitted at Kisii County Referral Hospital after consuming poison under unclear circumstances.
18 year old Rooney Okoth Ogola is in a critical condition after he consumed a pesticide known as Triatix on Tuesday night at their home in Kowano village, after writing the three exams set for the first day.
And if you thought you have heard enough, wait for this!Â
We have already witnessed several cases of pupils doing their exams in hospitals after giving birth hours to the exam on Tuesday. In fact one of the girls named her daughter after Education Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohammed.
In another case, two pupils in Kilifi County decided to get married on Tuesday and therefore forfeit sitting for exams despite working hard for close to eight years. Talk of the pot breaking at the door step.
What are the most appropriate steps to ensure incidents’ free exam period?Â