I want to be an engineer, says second best student

By Kenan Miruka and Roselyne Obala

It is a dream come true for second best student nationally, Trevor Omangi Mokaya, who aspires to be an aeronautical engineer.

"I was watching TV as Education Minister Sam Ongeri read results of last year’s Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examination when my teacher called to break the good news of my excellent performance. I could not believe my ears but I knew God was with me all the times," he said when we caught up with him at Sameta Boys Secondary School where his mother teaches.

Omangi, 19, sat his exams at Maseno School.

"I am so happy. I cannot believe it is true. I had hoped for a good result but not to this level. I thank God for making my dream come true," said a jubilant Omangi.

And it was all joy as his mother and fellow teachers and students at the school joined in the celebration.

Omangi attributed his success to dedicated teachers at his school and his parents whom he said were a blessing from God.

He said: "I had supportive teachers who encouraged me to improve on my weak subjects. My parents were also very supportive as they ensured nothing hindered my studies."

Determined to succeed

His father Lucas Omangi, a tutor at Keroka Technical Institute, was ecstatic saying he could not believe the results.

"My son was obedient and determined to succeed. I never pushed him to prepare for a good result. I knew he could do well," he said.

His mother Rose Omangi, described him as a hardworking and determined boy. "I feel like jumping. I recently dreamt addressing the press over my son’s result and it has come to pass. He did everything right and his success is not due to luck but hard work," she said.

Trevor, the first born, in a family of three, also plays hockey.

Elsewhere, Musingu High School in Kakamega South District went into a carnival mood after producing the top KCSE student in Western Province.

Brian Simiyu, who was number 10 nationally, was a student at the school and emerged tops in the province.

Students at the school camped at the gate for hours waiting for Simiyu, who had to be picked from Sengelwa Village in Bungoma.

They had earlier held a thanksgiving ceremony where villagers from the neighbourhood also joined them.

The school principal David Litala gave his car to pick Simiyu after learning he had no bus fare to travel to Kakamega.

"He comes from a needy family and the mother, who is a widow, could not raise bus fare," he said.

When he arrived at about 4pm, students burst into song and dance to welcome their hero.

They carried him shoulder high to the offices to meet the teachers and parents who were also waiting for him.

Simiyu was accompanied by his mother, Elizabeth Kasembeli.

He said he received the news on radio, while working with his mother in the farm.

"I was shocked because I was not expecting to perform this well," said Simiyu, the firstborn in a family of three.

Necessary support

He said he wants to be a surgeon in future and thanked God his dream was now beckoning.

He thanked her mother, teachers, fellow students and friends for their help. "Success can only be achieved if one gets the necessary support from relevant people," he said.

His mother said she did not expect her son to perform so well. "I expected my son to be top but not nationally," she said.

She said he nearly dropped out of school while in Form Three due to lack of school fees were it not for fellow villagers who helped her raise some money. "It was a struggle because Simiyu’s father died while he was in Class Four," she added.