KCSE candidates at two secondary schools in Moyale, Marsabit County, were moved to a safer centre on Monday morning. Stray bullets from fighting in neighbouring Ethiopia hit Sessi Mixed Secondary School just as the main written papers began across the country.

Moyale Sub-County Deputy County Commissioner Benedict Munywoki confirmed that candidates from Sessi Mixed Secondary School and St Mary's Mixed Secondary School were relocated. They are now sitting their exams at Sessi Primary School.

Munywoki said the two schools were exposed because parts of them sit only 60 to 100 metres from the international boundary. "The schools are located very close to the international border between Kenya and Ethiopia," he said. He added that moving the candidates would let them "continue sitting their examinations in a safe environment".

Grenades land in town

The scare at the schools followed a frightening night in Moyale. Security officers said they safely detonated three rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs) fired from across the border that landed in the town on Sunday night. Police said one landed at Sessi Primary School and the other two at the Kenya Meteorological Department offices.

Ali Haro, a resident of Sessi, said families were living in fear. "Last night, at around 8:30pm, a bomb was fired from Ethiopia and landed here, where it exploded," he said. He added that children could not sleep and residents wanted the government to guarantee their security.

At least one outlet reported that the incident delayed the distribution of KCSE papers in the area. The Ministry of Education had not commented by the time of publication.

'Our side is calm'

Munywoki told People Daily Digital that the Kenyan side of the border remained calm. He said soldiers from the Kenya Defence Forces, regular police and Administration Police officers were patrolling both the boundary and the town, and that residents were going about their normal business.

The cross-border violence is between two communities living along the border on the Ethiopian side. It has driven a large number of people into Kenya. The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights said last week that more than 40,000 Ethiopians had crossed into Moyale seeking safety. It warned that the influx was straining host communities and called for urgent food, water, shelter, sanitation and medical aid.

Exams continue

Monday's papers were English Paper 1 and Chemistry Paper 1, the first of the compulsory papers taken by a record 1,048,355 candidates nationwide. The written exams run until 20 November. Residents have asked the government to step up security along the border so that the Moyale candidates can finish their papers safely.

Photos: Eastleigh Voice (screengrab: Sessi resident displays grenade fragment); People Daily/SND Africa (Moyale DCC Benedict Munywoki). Thumbnail design: HAMASTA MEDIA.