Michael Warutere: KCPE star aspires to be software engineer

Top 2023 KCPE candidate Micheal Warutere of Riara Group of Schools Imara Daima scored 428 marks. He wants to be a software engineer. [Samson Wire, Standard]

The top student in the 2023 Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) examination Michael Warutere aspires to be a software engineer.

The 13-year-old was all smiles after scoring 428 marks out of the possible 500 marks. 

Warutere hopes to join Mang’u High School.

Speaking at Riara Springs, Imara Daima, he said scoring the high marks to emerge as the best student in the country came as a surprise to him.

‘‘I was hoping for at least 410 marks but I exceeded expectation. I was woken up and found I was at the top in the country. I am ecstatic since those exams were tricky but in the end, God has enabled me score this mark,’’ he said.

Warutere scored 90 marks in English and Mathematics, 88 in Kiswahili, Social Studies/ Religious Education (85) and Science (75).

He singled out the score in Kiswahili as a major surprise to him and attributed his success to hard work, and support from the school and his parents.

"I had to tackle all the subjects equally, I had to exercise and relax to have a fresh mind to take on the day ahead. The soft drive I had and the belief in myself did wonders for me. You have to be consistent and determined, do not give up halfway and expect good results, you must keep on pushing to realize your goal," he said.

The firstborn in a family of four said the lessons learned at the school have propelled him to the apex of the nation.

His father Samuel Muturi, hailed him for being goal oriented.

“We are excited because he has achieved his goal. He has set the bar high and this is a big milestone and he will be in history to some extent," he said.

"I think he has set a path for them since we raise them to be independent children but they need to drive themselves," Muturi said.

The head teacher John Muriithi said the school has proved its track record of excellence in national examinations over the years.

"Our motto this year was Grand Match to Victory. This was the best way we could wrap up the 39 years of KCPE system," Muriithi said.