Kirinyaga County emerged as the standout performer in Mt Kenya after private schools edged public institutions in the latest KCPE results released on 19 November 2018 by Education Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohamed.
The county produced the region’s top candidates, with Ashley Wambui of Kutus Municipality Primary School leading the private-school pack on 447 marks. She said she hoped to join Kenya High School next year and credited her performance to hard work, determination and discipline. Her school director, Julius Wanjohi Mugo, said the institution posted a mean score of 387 points.
Ronnie Gathuku of Effort Junior School, Kerugoya, followed with 444 marks. Emanuel Kironji and Victor Mwangi, both from Effort Junior, tied in third place with 438 marks each. At Alber School in Kutus, Cynthia Nyaguthie Waweru scored 434 marks. Proprietor Alfred Nyaga said the school registered a mean score of 396.04 marks from 80 candidates, and more than 45 pupils scored above 400 marks.
Meru County also featured prominently. Kathigiri Boarding School and Fred’s Academy produced the region’s joint top candidates, both on 442 marks. Debra Gakii of Kathigiri and Hilary Muriungi of Fred’s Academy shared that score. Kathigiri headteacher Eustace Micheni said the school’s performance came from hard work, teamwork, proper time management, syllabus coverage and intensive revision. The two schools have been trading top positions in national exams, with Kathigiri producing the second best candidate in 2017 and Fred’s Academy being the best school nationally in 2017.
In Nyeri County, Nyeri Primary School was the only public school among the top performers. Waihenya Elizabeth Wanjeri led the county with 441 marks, while girls occupied the top five positions. Njeru Janet Kathomi of Nyeri Good Shepherd scored 436 marks, and Maina Adrian Kahacho of Nyeri Primary School came third with 435 marks. Nelius Wangari of Nyeri Good Shepherd scored 428 marks and said prayer and hard work helped her achieve the result. She said she hoped to join Kenya High School.
Isiolo County celebrated two girls who topped the county list. Britney Kirimi Mwenda, 13, of High Vision Junior School scored 421 marks, while Sakina Salad Kikuyu, 12, of Little Angels School scored 416 marks. Sakina’s parents, Dr Salad Kikuyu Sarite and Habiba Halkano, described her as God-fearing, hardworking, obedient and disciplined. Britney’s mother, Caroline Kirimi, said her daughter had been performing well.
Murang’a County’s top candidate was Muchiri Brian Nderitu of Elite School with 441 marks. Wachira Micky Muchoki of Technology Primary School followed with 437 marks. Headteacher Beatrice Wachira said boys took the first three positions, unlike the previous year when girls filled the top three slots.
In Embu County, Tenri Primary School and Bonanza School produced the top boy and girl respectively. The county’s traditional leading schools accounted for eight of the top 10 performers, while Good Shepherd Academy, St Peters Ishiara and St Petroc Academy produced many of the pupils who scored above 400 marks.
Northern Kenya also posted strong results. Moyale Junior Academy in Marsabit County produced eight candidates who scored above 400 marks, with Mohammed Isack leading the school on 430 marks. Billan Mohamed Diis of Furqan Integrated Academy in Wajir County was the region’s second best performer with 426 marks. Mandera County, however, lagged behind, with Fartum Alio Mohamed of Alqalan Primary School topping the county on 383 marks.
The 2018 results also reflected the continuing competition between public and private schools across the region, with private institutions taking a larger share of the top slots in several counties. The article also noted that Kathigiri had produced the second best candidate in 2017 and Fred’s Academy had been the best school nationally in 2017.
Reporting by Isabel Githae, Gitonga Marete, David Muchui, Ndungu’s Gachane, Joseph Wangui, Charles Wanyoro and Nicholas Komu, Manatse Otsialo, Vivian Jebet and Bruhan Makong
