Embu’s top KCPE candidate Telvin Gichuki said he wants to pursue civil engineering after drawing inspiration from H.E. Eng. Raila Odinga.
The 13-year-old, who studied at Tenri Primary School in Embu town, scored 434 marks out of 500 and said he hopes to join Alliance Boys High School during the selection scheduled for December 3.
Gichuki told reporters on Monday that Raila had been his role model, saying he admired the ODM leader’s work and the legacy he left as minister for Roads. He also said he had been following news about Raila and viewed him as a steadfast politician whose background showed excellence in public service.
“The former Prime Minister has been my role model and inspired me to work hard so that I can be a civil engineer like him,” Gichuki said.
He added that he knew Raila was a politician, but believed his civil engineering work had been “sterling.” Gichuki also linked his future plans to President Uhuru Kenyatta’s Big Four agenda, saying engineering would let him contribute to infrastructure development.
The pupil said his performance came from hard work, obedience, prayer and support from teachers and parents. “Even during public holidays, I woke up early to study keeping in mind the teachers’ instructions. I also prayed regularly,” he said.
Gichuki is the son of physiotherapist Gichuki Ngare and Caroline Wanja, who works as a secretary. He was accompanied by Tenri headteacher James Kariuki.
After the results were announced, teachers, friends and neighbours lifted him on their shoulders in celebration. He was later driven around Embu in a limousine as residents lined the roads and sang praises while a convoy of teachers’ cars and school buses moved through town.
Kariuki said seven students at the school scored 400 marks and above, while another 24 scored 300 marks and above. He attributed the strong results to good coverage of the syllabus, which gave learners enough time to revise.
