Government moves to resolve exam transport challenges amid floods
Education
By
Mike Kihaki
| Oct 30, 2025
The government has announced a series of measures to address logistical challenges affecting the delivery of national examination papers, particularly in regions hit by heavy rains and flooding.
Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba acknowledged that while the ongoing short rains have disrupted transport in parts of the country, the ministry has put in place rapid-response mechanisms to ensure that no candidate misses sitting for their exams.
“It is true that we have challenges of floods in some parts of the country where we are administering exams,” said Ogamba.
“As a ministry, we have put measures in place because it is something that happens every year. This morning we have received reports of areas where vehicles were not able to pass through some bridges after they flooded.”
Looking ahead, the government is exploring new technologies to overcome such recurring challenges.
“Since the problem may not go away any time soon, we are working on a policy paper to see how we can leverage drone technology to deliver exam papers in future,” he said.
READ MORE
Cooking diplomacy on the menu as Kenya hosts first Africa-Chinese cuisine contest
Coffee nets Sh411 million at the auction signalling strong market demand
KEBS pushes new Standards Bill to crack down on unsafe goods
Kenya moves to cut building sector emissions as urbanisation surges
Nairobi's new sewer plan ends 'flying toilets' in Mukuru slums
How KPA is racing to expand Mombasa Port ahead of peak season
Why Kenya's property sector is cooling after years of growth
KPA awarded for its greening ocean project
Kenyans in diaspora to get health cover
Boeing reports $5.4-bn loss on large hit from 777X aircraft delays
However, to mitigate delays, the ministry has deployed helicopters and established a command centre at the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) to coordinate emergency responses.
“When officers come across challenges, they call the centre and a team is dispatched to deliver the papers. We have advised them not to try to cross swollen rivers. It is better to wait one or two hours for the floods to subside,” he added.
Ogamba said four-wheel drive vehicles were also on standby to support delivery teams.
In Parliament, lawmakers raised concerns about inadequate facilitation for field officers and teachers administering the national examinations. Tinderet MP Julius Melly questioned whether the funds allocated were sufficient.
“Officers have asked that the administration money for fuel and running about is very little, almost not enough. If the money is not enough, what next?” Melly asked.
Teachers involved in administering the exams have complained that they receive only Sh5,160 per day, an amount many consider inadequate given the logistical demands and risks involved.
KNEC Chief Executive Officer David Njengere said that the current grant-based funding system for exams was unsustainable.
“Funding for exams should not be based on grants but on capitation. Even the Sh5.9 billion we got is not capitation. It should be based on the number of candidates and centres, but under the grant system, it is just a fixed figure,” he said.
Kitutu Masaba MP Clive Gesairo questioned who determines the grant system—Parliament or the Ministry.
“If the decision comes from this House, then the CS is right to raise the complaint. If it’s from the ministry, they should give us the results,” he said.
CS Ogamba emphasized that education sector reforms are ongoing to ensure policies are informed by data and efficiency.
“We are interrogating what has been going on to see if it is working for us. Decisions must be based on scientific evidence,” he said.
He further disclosed that 6,040 out of 32,000 schools had fallen below threshold standards in a nationwide verification exercise aimed at determining the accurate number of learners.
“The verification will help us plan better. If 1.1 million Grade 9 learners are sitting exams, I should know that in three years the same number will be in Grade 12,” Ogamba noted.
Despite the challenges, Ogamba assured the public that all exams will continue smoothly, and no student will miss their papers due to logistical disruptions.