Western Province KCSE queen hopes to enrol at Harvard University

By Roselyne Obala

Learning was temporarily interrupted at Lubinu Primary School in Mumias District, after news of Celine Keya’s sterling performance in last year’s Kenya Certificate of Secondary Eduaction (KCSE) examination was received.

Keya, who sat the exam at Lugulu Girls High School, emerged sixth nationally in the female category and the top girl in Western Province.

In the region, she came second after Brian Simiyu of Musingu High School.

The former student of Lubinu Primary School was joined by pupils and former teachers in celebrating her achievement.

Her father Elly Keya, who is the school’s principal also congratulated her daughter.

Parents and teachers could not hide their joy after they received the news of Keya’s excellent performance.

"I am happy that finally, I have excelled in KCSE," she said.

Keya, the second born in a family of seven, said she wants to pursue medicine at university.

She attributed her exemplary performance to dedication to her studies and fear of God.

She recalled how the exams were tough saying the good results were unexpected.

Students and teachers of her former primary school joined in songs and praises, congratulating her for taking the school high.

"My dream is to get admission in Harvard University or the University of Nairobi," she said.

She added: "I call upon my colleagues to study hard and sacrifice every available opportunity to realise their dreams."

Keya said she has been number one since she joined Lugulu Girls.

She said it is satisfying for one to realise one’s ambitions in life.

Her father said he received the information with mixed feelings.

"I knew my daughter was hardworking but it did not cross my mind she would emerge among the top girls in the country," he said.

Mr Keya disclosed her daughter was among the top 20 in lower primary but topped from Class Seven.