Arap Moi Children's Home produces top performers

Children and staff of Arap Moi Children’s Home in Nakuru celebrate with Dominic Getuhi on 22 November 2017, he scored 411 marks. [Harun wathari, Standard]

Arap Moi Children’s home in Nakuru produced some of this year's best performers in KCPE.

This is the only home Dominic Getuhi, who scooped 411 marks, and Branice Sempeyo, who managed 408, know.

Most pupils, according to Nakuru County Coordinator of Children Welfare Justine Oduya, are orphans who grew up in the children’s home.

“We are very proud that our children are excelling. We thank the Government and all the sponsors and well-wishers for the support they have continued to give us,” Ms Oduya said.

Dominic, who schooled at St Elizabeth Primary School, told The Standard that he was overwhelmed by the support he got all through his primary education.

“It feels so good to reward all the people who have been with me throughout. They took care of me since I was a baby and always made sure that I excelled in life,” he said.

Vocational courses

Dominic hopes to join Alliance boys High School and later pursue an engineering course.

According to Oduya, more than 30 out of 44 children who sat the examinations will be joining secondary schools while the rest will pursue vocational courses. Some 32 children scored over 250 marks.

“We always engage them to know what they want to pursue so that we can facilitate short courses including tailoring, hairdressing, mechanic among others,” she said, adding that most children excelled despite the challenges.

The centre currently hosts 198 children, a number which according to Oduya is overwhelming hence overstretching the facilities.

“The promising fact is that these children often excel, we have a number of professionals whose journey began at this children’s home. We have doctors, nurses, accountants and even one currently pursuing his PHD in the United States,” she said.

Susan Njeri, one of the candidates, is optimistic that she will one day become a nurse.