I'll make a career out of my hobby, says Cy Muganda, Generation Next writer

Generation Next's youngest ‘writer’ Cy Joe is celebrating after he scored 391 marks in last year’s Kenya certificate of primary education (KCPE).

Cy (pronounced /sigh/) became number six in a class of 19 pupils with number one scoring 406 marks out of the 500 marks.

Asked what enabled him score such good marks, Cy, had this to say.

Former KCPE candidate Cy Muganda with his teacher Gladys Mwangi at Shepherds Junior school on Thursday, January 14th, 2015. Muganda scored 391 marks in the Kenya Certificate of Primary Education. (PHOTO: ANGELA MAINA/ STANDARD)

“The efforts I put in my studies, teachers helped me revise well and finally my class mates who would help me whenever I asked them a question,” says Cy, who hopes to join Starehe Boys Centre.

In one of his latest articles to GN, Cy chose to talk about a topic many of his age mates wouldn’t dare look into. You would think terrorism and religion are two topics a 13-year-old would not know what to say or write about but Cy’s piece proves otherwise.

In the article, Cy urges Kenyans not to blame religion for the terrorist attacks but the individuals who are behind them.

“Just because a terror attack was carried out by a Muslim, doesn't mean we should start blaming Islam as a religion but the particular person who orchestrated that attack,” says Cy.

He also sympathised with his fellow students in Mandera and penned another article calling on the government to provide enough security for learning to continue after teachers fled the region following a terror iattack.

“Teachers have been fleeing Mandera and it's really sad as students suffer and no one will consider that when exams come. We all are going to sit the same exam, so they deserve to be taught like any other person living in other parts of the country,” read part of the article.

His favourite subject is English which explains his love for journalism. “I scored 85 per cent (A) in English. This has made my dream more valid and I thank God for that,” says Cy.  He also had an A in Kiswahili, B in Mathematics and Science and B+ in Social Studies.

“I want to be a journalist, not because my father is a journalist and editor but because I have always liked to write stories, to be around people and know about their lives, circumstances they are going through and learn from them,” says Cy, who likes listening to soul, RnB and hip hop music.

His advice to pupils is that they should pursue their dreams whether in school or in other areas like sports, athletics or the arts.

His English teacher at Shepherds Junior School in Buru Buru, Nairobi, could not hide her joy after the results were released saying she had high hopes in Cy.

“Cy was a good pupil, he managed to get A in my subject and I am so proud of him. He was obedient and managed to do his work well which is why he performed excellently,” says teacher Gladys Mwangi.