A 13-year-old girl emerges the best pupil in the region, as girls outshine boys

Parents and teachers of Christ the King Primary School, Nakuru, celebrate with Shirleen Muhoro, who scored 410 marks in the KCPE exam. [Caroline Chebet|Standard]

Gathoni Macharia from St Peters Elite School in Gilgil is this year’s Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) top scorer in North Rift region.

The 13-year-old, who scored 447 marks, attributed her sterling performance to prayer, hard work, focus and encouragement from her parents.

She was closely followed by Giovanni Tonnuci Okuthe, 12, from Chumo Academy in Kericho with 446 marks.

Overall, private schools in the region posted exemplary results in the examination.

Among schools that posted exemplary results in the region were Crystal Hill Academy in Kericho County, Mogotio Little Friends in Baringo County and Chelsa Academy in Bomet County.

Others included Bishop Muge Academy in Nandi County, Queen of Angels Academy and Little Lambs Academy in Uasin Gishu County.

Top scores

Other schools that posted top scores were Nyahururu’s John Paul II Primary School, Laikipia Airbase Primary School, Little Friends Academy, High Peak Junior Academy, Ridges View Academy, Mt Longonot Schools and Lizar Junior academy.

Gathoni was overjoyed by her performance and said she hopes to join Alliance Girls’ High School, which she admires for its discipline and impressive academic performance.

Rising Ridges View Academy produced the top pupil in Naivasha - Tirike Anelka Parseiya scored an impressive 442 marks.

Private schools in both Laikipia and Nyandarua counties also produced the best KCPE candidates.

In Laikipia, 14-year-old Valerie Moraa from Laikipia Airbase Primary School emerged the best with 445 marks. Nyahururu’s John Paul II Primary School, which produced the best candidate last year, had the second best pupil this year, John Mark Nguiri, who scored 441 marks.

In Bomet, Chelsa Academy produced the best pupil, Anastacia Cherotich, who scored 436 marks.

Uasin Gishu

In Uasin Gishu County, Kadagi Asiko Dante of Queen of Angels led with 436 marks followed closely by Doreen Jepng’etich Yego with 435 marks. 

Little Lambs Academy produced one of the highest number of pupils with over 400 marks, with the two leading candidates, Faith Jeptoo and Naomi Chemutai, tying at 435 marks. 

In West Pokot, girls also displayed sterling performance.

Leah Chepkemoi from Daylight Modern School scored 421 marks while Vivian Chepkech from Kapenguria Town View Academy scored 418 marks.

Among the top pupils in Turkana County was Lucy Long’olei, who scored 420 marks.

In Trans Nzoia County, Trevor Ombaso Osoro emerged the top student with 434 marks. Kenya National Union of Teachers Executive Secretary Sammy Bor attributed the performance of public schools in the North Rift to lack of adequate resources.