Wamuzi News Ke
In a move stirring tension across the education sector, the Ministry of Education has affirmed that the 2025 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) rehearsal scheduled for Friday, October 17, will go on as planned — even though the day has been declared a national holiday in honor of the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.
The rehearsal is a preparatory exercise ahead of the full KCSE exams, set to begin October 21. The ministry argues that postponing it would disrupt the tightly packed examination calendar and thwart logistical readiness.
Holiday vs. Exam Duty — A Clash of National Priorities.
Earlier today, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen gazetted Friday as a public holiday to allow the country to mourn Odinga’s passing. The decision has sparked heated debate: how should state obligations balance against national grief?
Some parents and teachers took to social media questioning whether schools would remain open, whether students would be compelled to attend exam rehearsals on a holiday, and whether the integrity of the mourning period is being undermined.In response, a ministry official told the Daily Nation that the rehearsal cannot be shelved:
“Normally, rehearsals are not interfered with and the officers on the ground have duly been briefed.” This statement acknowledges the symbolic drama of conducting an exam rehearsal on a national day of mourning — yet underscores the ministry’s determination to keep the academic timetable intact.
Stakes High: What’s at Risk.
Student anxiety and morale: Many candidates may feel conflicted about appearing in examination halls while the country mourns; this could affect concentration and performance.
Logistics and personnel: Invigilators, supervisors, and examination officers may face duty conflicts — whether to honor the holiday or support academic duty.Perception of insensitivity: Opponents may seize this as proof that the government prioritizes state machinery over national sentiment, particularly at a moment of collective grief.
Precedent for future decisions: How this plays out could shape expectations over how exams, public holidays, and national crises intersect.
