President William Ruto has assured the nation that comprehensive security measures are in place as students prepare for their national examinations, which begin next week.

Ruto stated that the Ministries of Education and Interior have finalized all arrangements to ensure a smooth examination process.

“As a government, we want to assure our children that there is adequate security and supervision, and all invigilators are in place,” he emphasized.

Numbers

According to the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC), a total of 965,501 candidates are expected to sit for the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) across 10,565 centers, while 1,303,913 candidates will take the Kenya Primary School Assessment (KAPSEA) in 35,573 centers. This totals 2,279,414 candidates nationwide.

While presiding over the Presidential Awards-Kenya (PA-K) ceremony at State House, Ruto extended his best wishes to the candidates as they undertake their exams.

He expressed,

“My very best wishes. My message to all of them is may God’s guidance, fortitude, and grace be with them.”

He encouraged students to take their exams seriously, noting that the prayers of their parents and the community are with them as they prepare for the future.

During the ceremony, 1,517 young individuals aged 14-24 from various schools, including colleges and universities, received award.

Then Awards

The group includes a total of 2,397 individuals from across the country who have been recognized for the gold awards, which is the highest accolade within the program.

The Presidential Awards-Kenya (PA-K) is a non-formal education and learning framework designed to acknowledge and celebrate young people’s achievements beyond academics.

Its primary goal is to prepare them for life by encouraging the acquisition of universal skills essential for thriving in various aspects of life.

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These universal skills are developed through participation in activities that promote physical fitness, community volunteering, and exploration beyond the classroom.

PA-K was launched in Kenya in 1966 and is part of The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award, which oversees the program in over 140 countries.

Founded by His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh KG, KT in 1956, along with German educator Kurt Hahn and Sir John Hunt, the Award has expanded its reach, impacting the lives of over 121,000 young people across more than 1,000 schools, universities, colleges, youth groups, rehabilitation centers, and open Award centers nationwide.

He urged the relevant ministry to support the board and management in encouraging greater youth participation, stating, “so that we can develop their character and skills” to enable their progress and success.