This archive report was first published on 5 November 2019.
At least 13 pregnant students in Bomet and Baringo counties gave birth during the 2019 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) exams that started on Monday.
According to Chepalungu Sub-County Police boss Nelson Masai, a student from Kerundut Secondary School in Chepalungu Sub-County delivered a baby and then continued with the afternoon papers from her hospital bed at Longisa County Referral hospital.
"The candidate will sit for the rest of her exams at the health facility," Masai said.
Twelve other pregnant students, five from Mulot Secondary in Bomet East and 7 from Kiplogyi Girls in Bomet Central, reportedly began their exams but without any signs of labor pain.
Bomet County Commissioner Geoffrey Omoding confirmed that contingency measures were in place at the Longisa County Referral hospital in case the students went into labor.
Similar incidents were reported in Baringo, where a candidate from St Mary's Tenges within Baringo Central gave birth hours to the start of the KCSE exam.
"She started her English paper at the Baringo County Referral Hospital, and after giving birth to a baby girl, she sat in a special room reserved for her as a relative stayed with the baby," Baringo Central Deputy County Commissioner Reuben Ratemo said.
Another candidate from St. Robert Secondary School Arwos in Emgwen was admitted to the Kapsabet County Referral Hospital when she developed labor pains.
"She was rushed to the hospital where she delivered the baby," a source said.
Published on November 5, 2019, at 2:23 PM.
