Heavy morning rains disrupted the start of the ongoing Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examinations in Mwingi North Constituency, Kitui County, delaying the papers by one hour and thirty minutes after an overnight downpour affected access and preparations at schools in Mwangea, Mivukoni and Tseikuru. The delays were reported on the morning the examinations were due to begin, as heavy rainfall made it difficult for the affected schools to start the exercise at the scheduled time.
A spot check in the constituency established that the disruption affected schools in Mwangea and Mivukoni areas, as well as Tseikuru. A local teacher confirmed that candidates began sitting the examinations later than expected because of the heavy downpour. The teacher attributed the late start to the rainfall, which had continued through the night and into the morning. The examinations eventually began after a delay of about one hour and thirty minutes.
The overnight rainfall is consistent with recent forecasts issued by the Kenya Meteorological Services Authority, which indicated the likelihood of increased rainfall during the October-November-December short-rains season. The forecast linked the expected increase in rainfall to the El Niño phenomenon. The rains have therefore raised concern among residents as the season continues, with the effects being felt in both schools and farming areas.
In a separate incident in the region, a farmer from Nuu in Mwingi Central Sub-County is appealing to the government for support after losing 11 goats because of the ongoing heavy rains. The appeal highlights the difficulties faced by some residents as heavy rains continue.
The two developments point to the effects of the ongoing rainfall in parts of Kitui County, where schools have experienced delays in the national examinations while a farmer is seeking assistance following the loss of livestock. Residents and institutions in the affected areas continue to contend with the consequences of the heavy downpour.
