Top boy in 2013 KCSE wants to pursue career in oil field

Top KCSE candidate King’ori Tom Wanderi.

By Kurian Musa

Kenya: It was a joyous moment for the family of the top student in Kenya Certificate Secondary Education (KCSE) examination.

King’ori Tom Wanderi of Alliance High School in Kiambu County scored a mean grade of 87.110 to lead the over 446,969 candidates who sat the exam last year. Education Cabinet Secretary Jacob Kaimenyi released the results Monday.

King’ori, 18, who lives with his father, a G4S firm security personnel in Kinoo, Nairobi, could not hide happiness after being ranked number one in the exam.

“I am happy about the results. I did not expect to perform this well, but I thank God and my parents, aunts and teachers especially Mr Ndege (deputy principal) for the encouragement they gave me,” the top student said.

He attributed his good performance to discipline and hard work.

“I also must say that learning has to be balanced with adequate rest and a bit of play,” Kingworm, a basket-baller, said.

Carnival mood

He is eyeing a career in Petroleum and Chemical Engineering field. A carnival mood engulfed the institution after announcement of the results, as his schoolmates sang and danced praising him and their principal Gideon Kariuki.

His family, who had accompanied him to the school upon the release of the results, also joined in the celebrations. King’ori was carried shoulder high by the students before he addressed them at the school’s assembly. 

“I am humbled; kindly work hard. I used to wake up at 5am and truly I have succeeded in the exams,” said the candidate, who was index 7. The deputy principal, administration and management, Nicholas Ndege described the student as a humble and disciplined person.

“The Alliance Old Boys Association awarded him a scholarship. We support students who perform well in class,” said Ndege.

The results came a day after Alliance High School marked its 88th birthday and it was yet another joyous moment after it produced the top student among the 7,606 examination centres countrywide.