By Brian Musyoka and KNA

Four children drowned yesterday while trying to swim in a swollen river in Eldas, Wajir county, as heavy rains continue to pound the area.

This came as the Ministry of Education assured that necessary measures had been put in place to ensure heavy rains, which have resulted in floods in many parts of the country, do not affect the Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) and Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examinations.

Rift Valley Regional Director of Education John Ololtuaa said a multi agency team drawn from the ministries of Education, Interior and Information would be on standby to respond to emergencies as candidates sit the exams.

“We have put all intervention measures in place. If need be, off-road vehicles as well as aircraft may be deployed in case the weather pattern turns ugly as predicted by the meteorological department in some parts of this region,” he said.

Speaking in Nakuru, Ololtuaa said supervisors, invigilators and field officers had also been briefed on how to ensure exam results are credible. 

Last week, Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i announced that additional resources had been set aside for the national examinations, including procurement of new aircraft to enable  police to deal with emergencies and adverse weather conditions.

Ololtuaa said Turkana and West Pokot have been placed under special surveillance following recent incidents of heavy rains and flooding.

“The situation is being monitored very keenly. I want to assure candidates and parents that our preparedness is sufficient and we will not be caught unawares by any situation. The security of both the examinations and the candidates is guaranteed,” he said.

Elsewhere, people living in Embu’s lowlands have been urged to move to safer grounds owing to the threats of deadly landslides and floods following heavy rains in the region.

County Executive Committee Member in charge of Devolution and Public Service David Kariuki said residents in such areas risk being swept away by floods.

“I want to caution residents living in lowland areas to vacate as soon as possible so that they can avert any danger that may result from the heavy rains,’’ said Kariuki.

Last week two people, a mother and her son, were swept away by floods at Kabuguri in Mbeere South.

Residents retrieved the body of the boy but his mother’s is yet  to be recovered.

Kariuki also urged those living on, or near, river banks to move to higher grounds to be safe from flooding.

Earlier this week, the Kenya Meteorological Department forecast heavy rains in different parts of the country, Embu being among them.

‘’Rains and strong winds are being experienced across the county. We are doing all we can to manage any disasters,” said Kariuki.