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The papers which were done in 22,783 centres countrywide began at 8.30am and ended at 1pm.
A spot check by Capital FM News in Nairobi revealed no incidents of irregularity in most schools.
At the Nairobi Milimani Primary School, principal Joseph Karuga said teachers did everything they could to prepare the students and expressed satisfaction that the hard work throughout the eight years will pay off.
“The candidates seem to have confidence and that means that they are well prepared. I want to assure everyone that the students are ready and they will prevail during the examinations,” he said.
St Georges Primary School headteacher Grace Situma wished all the candidates the best and urged them to give the examinations their best.
“We have prepared our students fully. They are ready from what we have been observing and we wish them the best because they are our children and we hope that they succeed,” he stated.
A few candidates interviewed exuded confidence that they will pass the examinations.
“I have been studying hard and the teachers were also helping us and I am confident that I will pass well,” a student at Moi Avenue Primary School said.
“I feel good because we have studied hard and our teachers were very helpful to us. They assisted us in a large way and we are grateful to them for making the effort on our behalf,” another student stated.
In Nyandarua, the examinations, kicked off with no incidents being reported.
However, a number of schools received the exams later than expected as vehicles transporting the materials got stuck in the mud due to heavy rains.
Kimuru, Geta and Gatondo primary schools in Kipipiri district had to wait for close to 20 minutes for the exam papers to arrive.
Nevertheless, the candidates sat the Mathematics paper without further hitches.
Science and Kiswahili papers are planned for Wednesday with Social Studies and Religious Education set for the Thursday.
Over 60,000 security personnel have been deployed in examination centres across the country.
The results will be announced on January 25 next year. This is because the KCPE exam this year was delayed following a three-week disruption in the school calendar by a countrywide teachers’ strike.
Students who were at risk of missing the exams after their schools failed to register also earned a huge reprieve after Education minister Mutula Kilonzo directed the Kenya National Examinations Council to ensure that the students sit the final primary school exams.
KNEC secretary Paul Wasanga had asked the affected candidates to present themselves at the schools on Monday during the rehearsals.
The council also made plans for candidates from schools that were affected in the Tana Delta clashes to sit the exams in other schools nearby.
About 250 candidates from these schools who had been displaced are expected to sit the exam in other centres.
