'We are fine': Change of election date won't affect exams - Matiang'i

The national examinations timetable cannot be changed even with a new election date, Education CS Fred Matiang'i has said.

Matiang'i emphasised this on Monday but noted the electoral agency has not informed them of intention to change the poll date from October 17.

"We are proactive and always have to plan. I want to assure everyone that should the elections date change, we will [still] be ready to have exams. We are fine," he said.

Addressing KCPE and KSCE stakeholders in Nairobi, Matiang'i said they will provide enough security for students and their schools.

"President Uhuru Kenyatta instructed us to ensure exams are not affected in any way and provide enough security," said the official who is also acting Interior Cabinet Secretary,

"We are putting enough security in the schools but we shall not change the time for doing exams."

Echoing Matiang'i, KNUT secretary general Wilson Sossion said the school calendar should not be altered for any reason.

"Children come first and exams should not be politicised. Whether there are changes or not, we will support the timetable as it is," he said.

"[The election] will not affect us...we will continue with the exams since the two events are independent. The electoral process is the business of voters and the exams are for children."

IEBC will today hold a plenary to consider a request by Safran Morpho to push the election. Morpho is the supplier of the Kenya Integrated Elections Management System used for voter identification and transmission of results.

Last week, the French firm presented its audit report and asked the electoral agency to extend the date to October 26 to allow it to upgrade the system.

More on this: IEBC set to push election date after request from Morpho

Opposition leader Raila Odinga dismissed IEBC's decision to hold fresh polls on the date IEBC set saying it was stipulated by Jubilee.

Read: School heads oppose Raila's call to delay KCPE, KCSE for polls

Raila also said the elections cannot be held before all the terms and conditions set by them are addressed by the electoral agency.

Among their key demands is for the commission's Chief Executive Officer Ezra Chiloba to leave office.

More on this: Most Kenyans don't trust IEBC, 44% want Chiloba out - Infotrak

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