The Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) exams kicked off this morning peacefully in Kisii County.

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According to the cabinet secretary for education Jacob Kaimenyi, a total of 800,000 candidates are sitting the exam this year. The exams will end on Thursday.

At the Kisii primary school, pupils gathered outside the classroom for prayers, before being frisked and checked for any items that could contribute to cheating.

Exam malpractices amongst candidates and teachers alike has been a growing concern as cases of cheating have been on the rise. Just on Monday, 20 university students were arrested for assisting KCSE students in cheating.

The government has boosted security and managers to oversee the KCPE exams. Candidates will be tested in Mathematics, English language and composition, Social studies and Religious Education.

In the numbers released by the ministry early this month, Nairobi County has the highest number of candidates this year, followed by Nakuru and Kiambu.