Release of results loses pomp, colour

What you need to know:

  • Glamor was no more after the government abolished ranking of schools and candidates.
  • Prof Kaimenyi appealed to the teachers’ unions to embrace dialogue in the wake of a strike notice.

For many years, Mitihani House off Dennis Print road in Nairobi was awash with pomp and colour when national exam results were released.

The Kenya National Examination Council (Knec) choir entertained guests who turned up for the Kenya Certificate of Primary Education and Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education examination results.

Once the announcement was made on TV by the Education Cabinet Secretary and top schools and candidates known, spontaneous celebrations erupted around the country.

However, on Monday, things were different. The glamorous affair was no more after the government abolished ranking of schools and candidates.

Guests started arriving at 9am. Education Cabinet Secretary Prof Jacob Kaimenyi also arrived and went straight into a meeting with Knec officials.

A few minutes to 10am, he emerged accompanied by his Principal Secretary Dr Belio Kipsang and headed to the dais.

Mr Franklin Etyang led in the singing of the three verses of the national anthem before Ms Joyce Kadzo said a prayer.

There was no entertainment. The council’s Chief Executive Officer Joseph Kivilu made his remarks and invited the Chairman, Prof Kabiru Kinyanjui.

Then Prof Kaimenyi rose to speak. He read his speech and made some off the cuff remarks.

Unlike in the past, he did not invite stakeholders such as Kenya National Union of Teachers, Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers and Kenya National Association of Parents leaders to make brief remarks.

Prof Kaimenyi appealed to the teachers’ unions to embrace dialogue in the wake of a strike notice.