Nairobi — A total of 225,000 candidates yesterday began sitting this year's Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education examinations.

And for the first time, 15 prisoners at Naivasha maximum security prison are sitting the national examinations.

The secondary schools students sat the first paper, English Language.

Reports, however, indicated that some eligible candidates will not be sitting the examination after their schools failed to register them.

About 370 students from the PDS chain of schools were not registered with the National Examination Council.

Last week, the Ministry of Education ordered the closure of the schools, which it said were operating illegally.

The fate of the students was, however, sealed when the Education Minister, Prof George Saitoti, said it was too late for the students.

Yesterday, the examinations kicked off as scheduled. In Nairobi, a spot-check indicated the national examinations went off smoothly.

At Starehe Boys Centre, the Director, Geoffrey Griffin, was optimistic that his 214 candidates would perform better than before.

The candidates burst out of the examination room excitedly after completing the English composition paper.

William Mutuko, a candidate, said the paper was fair. "We won't let our teachers down," he said.

At Ofafa Jericho Boys School, Nairobi, the optimism and excitement were the same. The Principal, Emmanuel Owuor, said all the 120 candidates had reported for the examinations.

However, one student at Nairobi's Huruma Girls Secondary School failed to turn up despite having registered for the examinations.

The head teacher said the girl had been absent for some time as she was said to be "taking care of her sick father at home."

The other 101 students sat the examinations, which run until November 17.

In Kisii District, two candidates at Gusii Highlights High School, who were arrested over a suspected examination leakage sat their papers yesterday.

The two students, both days scholars, sat their papers after being release on Wednesday from the Kosele police station, Rachuonyo District. The principal, GP Mohan, said it was the school which handed over the two students to the police.

The District Education Officer, James Ochieng, said the matter was being handled by the Rachuonyo police since it also involved some students from Oriwo Boys and Raruowa Girls secondary schools in that area.

Rose Kwamboka, the woman who allegedly sold them Biology practical papers, is being held at Kosele police station. The papers' authenticity has yet to be established.

In Nakuru, the examinations started late at Afraha High School after some invigilators reported late. Ministry of Education officials rushed to the school and assisted in distributing examination materials.

According to the examination rules, said an Education official, no student can sit the papers 30 minutes late.

A supervisor, Jane Mwangi, said all 178 candidates registered for the examinations sat the paper.

Meanwhile, 24 candidates at Malava Boys High School in Kakamega District have been forced to sit their examinations from home after being suspended for alleged involvement in a strike.

Despite their parents' protests, the school administration stuck to its guns to keep the students away.

In Gucha District, a candidate at the Borangi Pentecostal Church of God school who had been suspended for being pregnant has been readmitted.

In Nandi District, the examinations kicked off smoothly and papers were dispatched by 7am.

Deputy District Education Officer, Risper Owino, said 2,400 candidates began sitting the exams in 50 centres.

She said the weather was fine and that some schools provided vehicles to transport the papers and security.

In Central Province, more girls than boys began sitting this year's KSCE examinations.

According to the Ministry of Education, a total of 22,230 girls sat the examination compared to 20,312 boys.

In Samburu District, the examinations kicked off smoothly despite recent reports of insecurity.

In Kangundo, 90 students from three schools rocked by unrests last term have been expelled and are sitting their exams from home.

The schools, Tala, Sengani and Kinyui experienced violent riots. The ringleaders, mostly Fourth Formers, were expelled.

In Kuria, District Commissioner Hamasi Shivogo has banned night festivities in preparation for the circumcision season in December.