It’s B+ for boy who got 198 marks in KCPE

By JAMES MUNYEKI

Most pupils who join secondary school with less than 200 marks in KCPE exams are ignored and branded ‘failures’. 

Many do not expect them to perform well, but it was a different story for John Wangui Macharia after he scored a B plus in KCSE. Macharia scored 198 marks in KCPE four years ago.

However, he was the best student at Ndivai Secondary School in Nyandarua County.

His story is one of determination and a hunger for excellence.

Macharia, 18, could not hide his joy yesterday as he took time to confirm if indeed he had scored B plus. “I wanted to prove critics wrong as there is perception that those who join Form One with less marks have no chance of joining university. It is now true that hard work and determination pays,” he said.

Four siblings

He scored C plus in English, A plain in Mathematics, C plus in Biology, B plain in Chemistry and History and A minuses in CRE and Agriculture.

Macharia, who wants to pursue Bachelor of Science in Agriculture, said in his entire primary school life, he was grappling with his parent’s domestic rows and at some point his mother was kicked out of their home, together with him and his four siblings.

“I believe this was the reason that I did not do well in KCPE. However, I was determined to join university and I am glad I have made it,” he said.

Macharia said he spent most of his time reading when he was free and did not waste time on issues that could distract him from achieving his dream of joining university.