Basking in the glory of success

It was songs of joy and dance at the home of the best female candidate in this year’s Kenya Certificate of Primary Education examinations. Risper Chemutai Kirui of Mt St Mary Girls Primary School scooped 434 marks to emerge the best girl in the country and third overall. She was also the best girl in the vast Rift Valley Province. Villagers of Chesimwot in Londiani Division of Kipkelion District joined the family to congratulate the girl.

University education

Chemutai, 14, wants to become a neurosurgeon when she finishes her university education. Her education suffered several setbacks when she was displaced from her school during the post-election violence in 2008 and she dropped out for two terms while in Standard Seven.

And the second top KCPE candidate this year did not sleep the night prior the day the minister for education announced the exam results. Rabin Isaac Oonge was restless and kept disturbing his mother throughout Monday night as he pondered whether he would pass his exam to make his ambition of becoming a neurosurgeon.

“By 2am I was up, and I switched on our TV fearing that the minister would read out results and I would miss the moment,” the 13-year -old graduate of St Georges Grassland Academy, Nakuru told the Nation at home in Nyamira District.

Best-performing students in Western and Nyanza provinces said that their results came as surprise to them. Solomon Ngoyo Ouma from Hill School, who emerged the best student in Western Province, attributed his success to support from parents and teachers.

He wants to be a pilot in future. He tied with Imali Joy Asena who also scored 434 marks. Two students from the Xaverian Primary School in Kisumu who took position one and three in Nyanza Province said that, while they did not expect to be among the best, stiff completion was the driving force behind their success.

Conrad Orori Ongoi and Paul Osuna Onyango, who were placed first with 429 marks and three with 428 marks in the province, intend to join the same national school and continue with the competition. Conrad tied with Osoro Brian Ondieki from a different school in position one.

Jubilation entered Day Two at Kericho Primary School in Kericho District. Irvine Kiplangat Koech, who was the best pupil in Kericho, scored 432 marks out of the possible 500 marks. Irvine was ranked ninth nationally and fourth in the vast Rift Valley Province.

Parents joined teachers and pupils at to celebrate Irvine’s achievement. Irvine led nine colleagues who scored more than 400 marks. Irvine was followed by Linet Cherop, who was ranked 19th in Rift Valley with 426 marks. The 14 year-old hopes to join Alliance Boys.

And Valerie Atieno Otieno’s dream of becoming a child rights lawyer moved an inch closer after she attained 432 marks. The former student of Silvergate Academy could not hide her joy as she was carried shoulder-high by teachers and parents of the school in Saika estate in the city.

“I intend to defend especially those children who are neglected or sexually abused,” she said. The 14-year-old girl was in position nine in the country, and two in Nairobi. She wants to join Alliance Girls, and “that was my number one choice and I can’t wait to set my foot there.” Two schools in Imenti North District were also in jubilation after their pupils emerged top in Eastern Province.

Muthomi Eugene and Kiaira Moses Mbaabu shared the provincial glory after they tied on 432 marks, emerging in position nine nationwide. Moses from the Catholic-Church-run Consolata Primary School, Gitoro, said his ambitions was to become an architect. He hopes to join Mang’u High School.

Eugene, the only child of Ms Mercy Gacheri, said he would wish to become a computer scientist “to help Africa catch up with the rest of the world in development.” Both top pupils aged 14, were prefects in their respective schools. “Moses has been disciplined and hard-working ever since he joined the school. He has always been in position one and sometimes helped pupils above his class in their studies,” the school administrator, Sr Ann Lucia Kawira, said.

Driving around

At Lions Primary near Consolata, teachers and pupils celebrated Eugene’s success by driving around Meru Town. Eugene’s mother, Cecilia Kiaira, a teacher at Meru School, said her son always exhibited leadership qualities and was obedient at home.

Farhiya Ibrahim from Wajir Islamic Call Foundation Primary School topped the province with 410 marks followed by Saadia Hussein Mumed Huseein of Mwangaza Primary school in Garissa. Speaking by telephone from Garissa, an elated Saadia said she wanted to join Starehe Girls High School.

Mohammed Ibrahim was third in the province. Provincial director of education Paul Makite said this year’s KCPE result were a remarkable turn around for the girls who have often come second best. On Wednesday, Saadia was celebrating her achievement with her mother Ebyan Muktar and her aunt Fatuma Muktar in their Garissa Ndogo home.

Saadia, who wishes to be a doctor, attributed her achievement to prayers and efforts by her parents and teachers, whom, she said, were all committed to see her achieve what she attained. “I am happy since my dream of attaining high marks was successful, but I am still anxious over whether I will manage to get the national school I like most — Starehe Girls,” said Saadia.

Her mother Ibyan said her daughter was always committed both at home and school to lead in her class of 40 pupils. Excitement filled St Peters Cape View School in Homa Bay Town after it produced the best girl in Nyanza Province.

Emerge best girl

Diana Agnes, who was the fourth overall in the province, scored 426 points to emerge the best girl in the province. Accompanied by her mother, Ms Emily Owuor, her two sisters and two brothers, the fourth-born of the family attributed her success to God, but was quick to include her hard work and support received from her family and teachers. Agnes said she was determined to excel in high school to achieve her dream of becoming a neurosurgeon.