On 21 November 2018, Nyakundi Report noted the story of Gloria Omondi, a Nairobi pupil whose 431 marks in the 2018 KCPE placed her among the year’s strongest performers. Her result came after years of family strain, long commutes and late-night revision.
Gloria, who was 13 at the time, had spent the previous three years sharing a small single room with her father, Fred Omondi, in Woodley, Nairobi. Her mother, Beatrice Awuor, had returned to the family’s upcountry home in Oyugis, Homa Bay County, leaving Gloria behind with her father, who worked as a cleaner and struggled to keep up with school fees for her older siblings.
The arrangement shaped much of Gloria’s daily life. A long table in the room doubled as a dining space and a study desk, and her timetable remained pinned on the wall when the family was visited. She was described as quiet and careful with her words, but her results spoke loudly enough.
Gloria said she did not know how to react when she received the KCPE results on Monday. She had expected to do well, but the 431 marks still stunned her. She ran from the deputy head teacher’s office to the computer room, where other pupils were gathered, and only joined the celebration after seeing their reaction.
Her father said the pressure at home forced her to grow up quickly. He recalled that she helped with chores, prepared meals when he returned late from work, and never complained even during periods when the family went hungry. He also said he later transferred her to Shofco Kibera School for Girls because the burden of school costs had become too heavy.
According to Fred Omondi, Gloria’s drive for education started early. She would come home eager to explain what she had learned, and she approached homework with enthusiasm. Even when she was 10, she left home with him at 5am for school and often slept as late as 10pm. After moving to a nearer school, she still woke at 2am to revise.
Gloria hoped to join Alliance Girls and said she drew inspiration from Ben Carson, the American neurosurgeon and author of Gifted Hands. She said his life encouraged her because he overcame hardship and still pursued his career. She also credited her teachers for pushing her to think beyond the obvious, and her parents for supporting her.
Her mother described her as polite, loving and bright. Ms Jublia Alubala, the deputy head teacher at Shofco Kibera School for Girls, said Gloria related well with classmates and was good natured.
At her former school, Gloria was the top pupil. Melvin Omuyuku, 14, came second with 423 marks. The school, which admits needy girls on full scholarship, registered 23 girls in the last KCPE, and only one scored below 250 marks.
Gloria was among 12,273 candidates who scored above 400 marks in the 2018 KCPE examination, a result that underlined both her discipline and the difficult conditions she had to overcome.
