Orphan who dropped out of school tops Siaya

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Siaya County's best candidate, Lincoln Abraham Molo, from Liganwa Public Primary School celebrates his KCPE results. He got 433 out of the possible 500. [Olivia Odhiambo/Standard]

Despite dropping out of school for two years, Lincoln Abraham Molo topped this year's Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) examination in Siaya County.

The 17-year-old scored 433 marks out of a possible 500.

He joined Liganwa Primary School in Alego Usonga sub-county and dropped out in 2014, when he was in Standard Seven, after losing his parents.

Together with his siblings, Molo, who is the firstborn, went to live with his grandmother. He took up a menial job in a carpentry workshop in Uyoma, Rarieda constituency, to fend for his siblings.

But his life took a fresh and hopeful twist when he went back to school after a well-wisher took him in and offered to cater for all his needs.

“I left home a few years ago to look for a job. I had no idea I would go back to school after losing my parents, but today I have gone through primary school successfully,” said an elated Molo, who hopes to join Starehe Boys’ Centre in Nairobi and eventually study law in university.

Former employer

Joseph Ogutu, Molo's guardian and former employer, decided to take him back to school.

“I took him in as my own child. We had a discussion with the head teacher of this school and he agreed he could continue his education from Standard Seven," said Mr Ogutu.

The head teacher, Philip Owiti, described Molo as hard working, humble, soft spoken and disciplined.

Meanwhile, there was jubilation at Bondo Township Primary School after the school posted impressive KCPE results.

More than five pupils scored above 400 marks, with the top candidate, Sherryne Macrine Owino, scoring 425.

She was followed by John Eddy Ogolla (420), Zachary Otieno (417, pictured in red pullover), Ephy Pauline (415) and Adam George Ogolla (413). Paul Otieno and Henry Benjamin each scored 401 marks.

Deputy head teacher Lawi Otieno said their hard work and dedication had been rewarded.

In the neighbouring Atilili Primary School, Cheryl Amondi came first with 413 marks.