Top news items in Kenya's major media outlets

NAIROBI, April 11 (Xinhua) -- The following are the news highlights in Kenya's major media outlets on Wednesday.

-- The four top candidates in last year's Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education examination have been selected to study bio-medical engineering, surgery and civil engineering. This emerged as universities scrambled for the few 'A' plain students unlike in the past years.

Only 141 students scored A plain in the exam. Engineering, medicine and architecture were the most popular courses as University of Nairobi admitted 95 of the 142 top performers in last year's exam. (The Standard)

-- Electoral commission chief executive Ezra Chiloba has questioned the directive by the chairman Wafula Chebukati to send him on compulsory leave to allow for an audit of major procurements for last year's polls. Chiloba expressed concern about the manner in which the decision was made as fallout at the agency persisted. (Daily Nation)

-- Kenyans have until Friday to give their views on the introduction of genetically modified cotton. The environment agency sought comments on the proposed field trials on Bt Cotton at nine sites in eight counties. (The Star)

-- Water levels and vegetation have improved in arid and semi-arid lands following the off season rains, which have come as a relief to pastoralists who lost thousands of livestock in recent drought. (Business Daily) Enditem