Beyond prayers, discipline and hard work, the 2021 KCPE candidates who posted top grades have now opened up on their dream schools and future careers.
From engineers to doctors, the top performers in the Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) examinations are already nursing their careers as they work towards achieving their goals.
Magata Bruce Mackenzie, the top candidate hopes to join Alliance High School. Mackenzie scored 428 marks out of 500.
He said he wants to join the school because it performs well and that he hopes to pursue a career in robotics engineering.
Ashley Kerubo Momanyi, who scored 427 marks to emerge second nationally said she hopes to join Kenya High, to start creating a strong foundation for her career goal of being an astronaut.
“My dream is to become an astronaut. I love Space and the stars and I believe that is where my interest lies,” the Makini School, Kibos, candidate said.
Ethan Kamau, of Stepping Stones Preparatory in Thika, Kiambu County who also scored 426 marks said he hopes to pursue a course in computer science.
"I'm very excited about my results. I attribute the good results to God and my teachers who took their time to guide me throughout my studies," said Ethan.
Chantel Ndinda Mueti, also from Stepping Stones Preparatory scored 426 marks.
She was ranked position three countrywide. "I thank God for the good marks. I am hoping to join Kenya High. I would like to be a cardiologist when I grow up,” she said.
Another top performer in the 2021 KCPE is Master Stanley Otieno. He said he would like to pursue a course in aviation after completing high school studies.
Otieno scored 426 marks and wants to join Mangu High School.
''It has always been my dream to go study at Mangu. I hope to continue with good performance and later study aviation," he said.
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Otieno was at Rophine Field Junior School in Nairobi.
He said that he was delighted with the performance and attributed it to God, teachers and his parents who have been very supportive.
Dominic Sese Magosi, a candidate with special needs, was the hero for residents of Mau Narok, Njoro after he was listed among top performers.
Sese, 17, tied for the third position with three others in the top ten special needs candidates as announced by Cabinet Secretary Prof George Magoha on Monday.
Poverty and disability did not stop the third born in a family of seven to score 401 marks.
He was the second-best candidate at his examination centre in Mau Narok Primary School.
Sese wants to become an astronaut.
Joel Njeru, from Nyangwa Primary School in Mbeere South, posted 425 marks and hopes to join Lenana High School and later the University of Nairobi.?
Eshara Atyang, who scored 403 marks at Moi Commonwealth DEB Primary School in Bungoma, attributed her good marks to hard work and prayers.
The 14-year-old said she hopes to join St Brigits Kiminini or Moi Girls Eldoret and later pursue a career in medicine. The father, Victor Angido, said his daughter is God-fearing.
“We are confident she will achieve her dreams of being a medical doctor because she has always worked hard,” said Angido.
Saidi Yousouf, who scored 401 Kure of Stepping Stones Elementary School in Kitengela said he wants to join Mangu High School.
“I burnt the midnight oil to ensure that I get a good foundation to become an aeronautical engineer. It is a career that I want to achieve,” he said.
Linsey Cherono and Lee Kiprotich, twins at Nairobi’s Mountain View school scored 414 marks.
Cherono said she hopes to join Kenya High while Kiprotich wants Mangu High.
In Lwak Girls’ Primary School, identical twins Jesica Adongo scored 413 marks, emerging second in her class of 96 candidates.
She was followed closely by her sister Josephine Apiyo with 408.
The two said they would wish to join Mary Hill High and Alliance and later pursue careers in medicine.
Malva Chepkorir Meli and Myron Chepkorir, twins from Utawala Academy, scored 392 marks.
Malva said she would like to join Alliance Girls and later pursue a medicine course.
Myron hopes to join Kapsabet Boys High and later study computer science.
‘‘I want to become a computer scientist and later an architect to improve architectural designs since technology is changing very fast,’’ he said. ?
For Guyder Oruru Okindo, who topped his AHP Workshop School in Belgut, politics is the greatest good, after fashion design.
Unlike his peers who opt for the traditionally lucrative courses, Oruru wants to be a politician so that he can help others.
“I want to be a politician, author, and own my own fashion line one day,” he said.
His father, Deplin Okindo, said he’s proud of his son’s achievements, and cannot wait to see him succeed.
Oruru was not always top of his class but triumphed in end.
Keith Kibet of Kabarak School, who scored 400 marks, is split between medicine and journalism.
He's hoping to join either Alliance or Mang'u. "I have always been into the sciences, but I am not averse to journalism. I will make a decision when I am in high school," Kibet said.
In Gem sub-county, St Teresa's Yala Girls Primary School posted excellent results, with the top candidate Ashley Odera scoring 420 marks.
Ashley wants to pursue a career in medicine. “I want to become a doctor. I attribute my KCPE results to constant consultations and the support from my parents and teachers,” she said.
Ashley's father, John Odera, said his daughter's performance has been consistent and was expecting good results.
"My daughter has been very passionate about everything she does and always worked hard. She has time for everything," said Odera.
Mrugua Primary School in Mwatate sub-County produced the top KCPE candidate in Taita-Taveta County and the Coast region.
Brian Mwandoe Kivunga scored 421 marks and attributed his success to hard work, support from parents and teachers and prayers. “I want to become an electrical engineer in future," he said.
The 13-year-old expects to join Alliance High School. “My favourite subjects are Maths and social science,” he said.
Sembua Urusula, his former headteacher, said she was overjoyed. “We are happy with the results. The boy has done the school and the local community proud,” she said.
Kivunga’s mother, Irine Eghwa, could not also hide her joy and said she was very happy with her son’s performance.
“My son has been performing well in school and we were expecting better results," Ms Eghwa said yesterday.