Rural public school beats odds to produce top student in Nyanza

Their top candidate, 14-year-old Felix Omondi Ochola, thrust the rural school into the limelight after scoring 426 marks. He is also the top pupil in the region and was only two marks shy of the country's top candidate, who garnered 428.

The soft-spoken boy told The Standard that he hopes to join Starehe Boys Center and later study engineering to help uplift his village's infrastructure.

Rae Kanyaika Primary School lacks most basic infrastructure, but it defied odds to beat the region's academic giants to produce the top candidate.

"I want to attribute these results to my teachers. They mentored me well and have brought me all this joy," Ochola said.

His father, George Ochola, described him as a disciplined son, dedicated to learning.

Paul Odhiambo, the school headteacher, attributed the good performance to close collaboration between teachers and parents.

There were celebrations at MM Shah Primary School that produced 10 students with over 400 marks.

In Migori, little-known Ngege Primary School also produced four pupils with over 400 marks.

Genevieve Nnaji, an orphan who was rescued by well-wishers, scored 405 marks despite the challenges she faced at home. Nnaji, who lost her parents at a tender age, lived with her grandmother and uncle, who is mentally challenged.

"My grandmother supported my schooling, but when there was a problem, teachers could also come in and help," she said.

In Siaya, Karapul and Siaya Central primary schools were among public schools that excelled after producing a number of students with over 400 marks.

2023 KCPE candidates at Hekima School Kisumu celebrate at the institution after receiving their KCPE results. The top student scored 407 marks. [Collins Oduor, Standard]

In Kisii, St Mary's Mosocho and St Mary's Nyabururu Girls, both public schools, were among the top performers in the region. The schools got a mean score of 362 and 350, respectively.

Hurricane Academy in Kitutu Chache, posted a mean score of 377. Francis Bagaka, the school manager, said they were proud to have posted an improved mean in the exam.

"This is a young school, but we are happy to have had the best candidates. The community should be proud of the school. We are grateful," said Bagaka.

At Elimu Academy, school manager David Kombo said they posted a mean score of 388 having registered 90 students.

At Imperial Academy, Mikaya Abuya had 417 marks while Andre Oigara scored 421.

Oigara and Abuya hope to join Alliance High.

Oigara's mother, Rose Nyakona, said there was tension throughout the day before they finally got the results.

"We sent the text more than 20 times, but we are grateful we finally got the results. It is a positive result, and we are proud of our children," she said.

The school posted a mean grade of 394 with 74 candidates.

In Nyamira, academic giant Eronge Adventist was toppled from the position it has held for decades by newcomers.

Royal Metropolis and Riang'ombe Adventist Primary posted impressive results and produced some of the best candidates.

Only Royal Metropolis Academy, Tonga Omonuri Adventist, and Royal Springs Academy Mwencha had compiled their aggregate mean scores by yesterday afternoon.

Metropolis posted a mean of 382.38, Mwencha Academy (356), while Tonga registered a mean of 335, an improvement from 321 it recorded last year.

Tonga Omonuri Adventist Boarding Primary and Royal Springs Ting'a also posted impressive results.

Eronge had 300 candidates with 40 scoring over 400 marks.

In the same region, Eronge Adventist Primary Boarding School in Borabu constituency, the top candidate had 413 marks while 36 pupils scored 400 marks.

Headteacher Bilia Kwamboka Ochengo attributed the good results to hard work.

"We had an excellent working team from the first term. Our teachers and parents showed commitment," Ochengo said.

Meanwhile, in Kisumu, it was song and dance at Hekima Primary School after it produced several pupils with over 400 marks.

Leslie Akinyi scored 408 marks and hopes to join Moi Girls High in Eldoret.

Hekima Primary Director Richard Guya attributed the good results to teachers' and pupil's work.

In Homa Bay, Janeiro Junior Academy, St Antony Wachara Christian School, Father Scheffer Boys Primary Boarding School, and Gendia Primary are some of the schools that produced top performers.

At Janeiro Junior Academy, Joy Akinyi got 419 marks, followed by Otieno Jefferson Odhiambo (412) and Okumu Jesse Otieno (408).

At Antonny Wachara Christian School, Karla Flavia Owino got 407 marks, Neecy Adhiambo (392), Cherryl Apondi Otieno (397), Emmilian Akelo Michael (389), and Byron Stanley Okello (379).

At Father's Scheffer, Annan Mboya got 407, Aden Mboya (401), Nickson Wara (400), and Fiona Pascal (398).

At Gendia Primary School, Rockliff Ambaka Odhiambo scored 405 marks. At St Anthony Little Angel Education Center in Homa Bay, Alan Mike got 387, Winsly Mary (387), and Anjel Adalia (385).

Janeiro Junior Academy headteacher Philip Aduda said they got a mean score of 392 compared to 383 last year. "I attribute our good performance to cooperation between teachers and parents."

Gendia Primary School headteacher Patrick Were said the students were hard-working. "It was the hard work of our students and teachers that gave us the good performance."

In Migori, several public schools also registered exemplary performance. Migori Primary headteacher Moses Maranda said the school had four pupils with over 400 marks.

[Olivia Odhiambo, Anne Atieno, Isaiah Gwengi, James Omoro, Stanley Ongwae and Eric Abuga]