UPDATE: Education CS, Magoha Orders Schools to Close Tomorrow
As the country prepares for general elections on Tuesday, August 9 next week, Prof George Magoha, cabinet secretary for education, has ordered that all basic education institutions close beginning tomorrow.
Leah Mukangai 
This announcement comes as schools were initially to break for their half-term on August 6 for the general elections.
“As you are aware, Kenya is scheduled to conduct its national elections on Tuesday 9 August 2022. Therefore, following consultation, I hereby convey the Government’s decision on the immediate closure of all basic education institutions from Tuesday 2 until Wednesday 10 August to ensure that preparations and conduct of upcoming elections are carried out seamlessly,” Education CS instructed.
According to the CS, students will now resume school on August 11.
"Schools and Parents are advised to ensure that learners from all Basic Education institutions proceed on their half-term break effective Tuesday, August 2, 2022, and resume on Thursday, August 11, 2022," Magoha stated.
If there are repeat elections, the dates may change, which may affect the national examinations scheduled for later this year.
Every election year, schools are used as polling and tallying locations. The majority of the institutions are elementary and secondary schools, as well as universities and technical training institutes.
According to a gazette notice issued by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission, nearly 250 schools will be used as tallying centers.
Another 17 higher education institutions will serve as county tallying centers, while 230 schools in select constituencies will serve as third schedule constituency tallying centers.
More to follow...
