Kakamega Hill School maintains winning streak in Western region

St Anns Mumias candidate Jacinta Khasundu was lifted up by jubilating parents after she emerged as the overall second candidate in the 2023 KCPE exams with 427 marks. [Benjamin Sakwa, Standard]

Private schools in Western have once again demonstrated their academic prowess compared to public schools in the 2023 KCPE examination.

Kakamega Hill School led with a mean score of 390, followed by St Joseph’s Academy with 384.6, Fesbeth Academy (384.3), and Booker Academy (380.8).

“We are happy our teachers and candidates didn’t let us down. They have kept us on the national map,” said John Mark Wandera who oversees the management of Booker Academy.

Sean Kipchumba from Kakamega Hill School scored 421 out of 500 marks.

Kakamega Hill School Director Selphar Musungu said that 80 students scored 400 marks and above.

The director attributed the results to good rapport between the school and parents, and discipline among learners.

Quality services

“Our parents have been supportive throughout in matters to do with academic work. We have capitalised on that to give them quality services and that is why we have been able to remain the academic giants in the Western region,” said Musungu.

She expressed satisfaction with the school ending the 8-4-4 system on a high note. “We thank our teachers, candidates, and parents for a job well done. As we transit to the CBC system, we assure our parents that the school is well-prepared and will continue to excel.”

Precious Otiato, 17, a student at Pendo School in Kakamega town, scored 419 marks, while Shirley Triza from Booker Academy managed 414 marks.

Otiato credited her success to hard work and self-discipline. “I want to thank my parents and school for their support. I wish to join Kericho Girls High School,” she said.

Robin Malele, the Director of Pendo School, attributed the outstanding performance to determination, discipline, and a positive relationship between the school and parents.

“We have invested in discipline and cultivated a good relationship with our parents. That has helped us in terms of academic performance. We expected to perform better than we have, but all is not lost. We have invested in the CBC program, and we hope to continue performing well,” she said.

In the 2022 KCPE exam, the top candidate scored 426 marks, and the school achieved a mean score of 388.7.

The Daisy and Centre School in Kakamega recorded a mean score of 350 marks, with the top student Heribil Nandwa scoring 406 marks.

More than 40 candidates at Kakamega Primary School scored over 400 marks, led by Saviour Ndubi with 416 marks.

Earlier, parents, candidates, and teachers faced difficulties accessing results through the code provided by the Kenya National Examination Council (Knec) and Safaricom.

By 2.30pm, Bungoma DEB head teacher Tobias Khisa said they had not received all the results for the 486 candidates who took the exam.

“We are frustrated. For four hours we have been sending the code to get the results without success. It pains that private schools are getting their results by the minute. We have been on edge and our parents and candidates are equally frustrated.

Daisy Center and school teachers and parents carry their top students Habil Nandwa who scored 406 marks and Nelson Mandela who scored 401 marks when results were released on November 23, 2023. [Benjamin Sakwa, Standard]

‘We have only received results for seven candidates and are not sure whether we will be done compiling the results by the end of the day,” said Mr Khisa.

At the nearby Moi DEB, the deputy head teacher, Catherine Kundu, said that they had not yet compiled the marks for the 497 candidates.

The school gained attention last year for ‘rejecting’ KCPE results despite achieving a mean score of 343.

“We will not speak until we get through the process of compiling the results,” said Mrs Kundu.

Marel Academy Principal David Kango said out of the 30 candidates who sat the exam, 12 scored 400 marks and above.

They include Jecinta Barasa (416), Gideon Wamalwa (414), Job Kigan (410), Felistus Shimuli (408) and Naomi Mutheu (405).

Vihiga Kenya Primary School Heads Association chairman Nicholas Otengo said parents and candidates were frustrated following the online hitch.

“We have frustrated parents, learners, and teachers who waited eagerly for the results. The Ministry of Education should have made things easier for them,” said Mr Otengo.

Most public schools were yet to access the results by the time of going to press with selected schools posting impressive results.

Some of the top KCPE performers in Vihiga were Denilson Inyanje who scored 415, Arstine Luvandwa (414), Arsene Asubwa (410), Mishael Kahandali (408) and Mitchell Chepkwemboi (402) all from Abundant Life Academy Cheptulu.

Inyanje attributed the good performance to combined effort of teachers and the pupils.

“I always knew I would perform well but didn’t expect to be among the top. I am happy and grateful to God for these results,” said Inyanje.

Kelvin Balanga, the school head teacher, said: “We have five candidates with over 400 marks and it’s a result we ought to thank God for as we also celebrate our 2023 class.”

Other academic giants like Shalom Academy and Mululu Primary School were still struggling to access the results due to the technical hitch by yesterday evening.

In Vihiga, a total of 22,283 candidates sat for the exam across 436 centers. 

[Robert Amalemba, Nathan Ochunge, Brian Kisanji, Benard Lusigi]