Western produces top students in KCPE as private schools do better

Robinson Fwaro Makokha and Lewis Otieno Glen put Western region on the map after emerging as the top pupils countrywide in the Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) exams.

Makokha of Christ The King Academy, Bungoma, and Otieno of St Peters Mumias Boys scored 431 marks out of 500 to emerge top nationally.

Vallery Awino from Nambale Magnate School, Busia, was also among the top performers with 426 marks.

An elated Makokha, 14, said he expected to be among the top ten students in the country and was not "surprised" by the news.

He attributed his success to hard work, discipline and cooperation with teachers. "I desire to join Alliance High School so that I can realise my dream of becoming a software engineer," he said.

He said he struggled to settle in class after the long holiday due to Covid-19 but coped with the help of his parents and teachers. "They helped me, especially in fitting into the condensed academic calendar which saw us learn and close school for a very short period," he said.

His father, David Wekesa, a former Bungoma MCA was full of praise for his son whom he said has brought pride to the family. "He is generally a reserved boy, self-driven in his school work and I had no doubt he was going to post good results," he said.

Makokha's mother Night Karani, and Amos Nyongesa, assistant director of Christ the King Catholic School attributed the good performance to prayers and hard work.

St Peter's Primary School head Sister Anne Onyancha said Otieno was polite, humble and disciplined. "Before the examination, he came to my office and we knelt down and prayed. He is humble and also comes from a humble family which I think made him disciplined," she said. "I had the belief he would top the nation as he was very committed in his work and used to top the 340 classmates. He had also been leading in mock exams."

The class teacher, Ronald Wakhungu, believes that the "blessings" they gave Otieno before he sat his KCPE paper set him up for a sterling performance. "He once came to the staffroom and asked teachers to bless him. We did and the results are out for everyone to see," he said.

Kakamega Primary, a public school, produced a high number of students with 400 marks and above compared to last year. The top pupil at the school, Barack Lumbasi scored 420 marks.

Other top performers included Faith Gathoni with 412, Sarah Tindo (410), Ferrant Kazira (409), Sarah Hope (408), Tracy Akinyi (407), Sadio Rajab (407), Dennis Kanai (407), Odhiambo Mirongo (406), Sally Ayoo (406), Joel Divine (404 and Mercy Njeri who scored 403.

The school's headteacher Dickson Anyangu said they had 530 candidates and it was a challenge to prepare two classes for national exams. He was happy that the school's performance improved compared to last year.

A number of schools in Vihiga county also posted impressive results despite the tight academic calendar. Crystal Heri Papa of Abundant Life Academy Cheptulu was the top candidate in the county with 424 marks.

Booker Academy in Mumias equally produced sterling results with Blevins Omenge scoring 421 marks followed by Johnson Swedo 420, and Tony Oseko 413.

John Mark Wandera, the school's manager attributed the good results to hard work and cooperation between teachers and parents. "We are eying better things. The children showed commitment and I am sure they will keep up with the spirit in secondary school," he said.

In Kakamega Hill School, 80 pupils out of 186 scored over 400 marks with the top pupil Dickens Odhiambo posting 420. Seliphar Omulisia, the school's director attributed the good performance to cooperation between the school and parents.

It was an improvement from last year's examination where 60 students scored 400 marks and above this year, 80 learners score 400 marks and above.

Pendo School Kakamega had its first cohort of 35 candidates sitting KCPE where Samwel Bahati topped with 410 marks. Winnie Malele, the school's director thanked parents for their support and pupils for their discipline and hard work that led to the impressive performance on the first attempt in KCPE.

At Applegate School, Pendo Jimbo, the top pupil, scored 413 marks. Evelyn Tiany, the school's director said they had 22 candidates and recorded a mean score of 379 up from 378.

St Teresa Isanjiro Primary in Malava Constituency also posted good results with Arnold Ndeta scoring 417 marks followed by Kimberly Ombima (415), Amos Baraka (405), Elsie Shitikha (409), Ian Mwerechi (414), Elsie Chogo (414), Mmbone Nambwa (405), Brilian Obayi (408) and Abigael Shitoshe (391).

Reporting by Juliet Omelo, Brian Kisanji and Jackline Inyanji