Schools defy odds to post high marks in KCPE exam

Steven Lotiam, who sat the KCPE exam at Erait Academy in Turkana and scored 418 marks, joins in celebrations on November 21, 2017. PHOTO | PETER WARUTUMO

What you need to know:

  • In Turkana, Steven Lotiam, a South Sudanese who sat the exam at Erait Academy, scored 418 marks.
  • In West Pokot, general performance in the county shows that girls were better than boys.

Most of the schools in insecurity-prone parts of the North Rift region defied all the odds to post impressive results.

The schools in Baringo, West Pokot, Elgeyo-Marakwet and Turkana counties had some candidates scoring more than 400 marks, an improvement compared to last year.

In Turkana, Steven Lotiam, a South Sudanese who sat the exam at Erait Academy, scored 418 marks.

The school registered 66 candidates, with five scoring above 400 marks.

BANDITS
Elizabeth Nzioka Mbenge, who aspires to be a journalist, got 406 marks.

At the neighbouring Turkana Blooms Academy, Losero Philly scored 412 marks.

In West Pokot, where learning at some schools was often disrupted by bandit attacks, girls performed better than boys.

Top candidate Leah Chepkemoi from Modern Day Light Academy scored 421 and Vivian Chepkech Kapelion of Kapenguria Town View Academy 418.

Other top performers are Enock Powon of Day Light Academy (416), Vibian Rialem of Jerusalem Academy (413) and Patience Chepkupus of Jerusalem Academy (411).

GIRL EDUCATION
Mrs Angelina Kimburi, the director of Modern Day Light, said Chepkemoi was hard-working.

General performance in the county shows that girls were better than boys, although they grappled with hurdles such as early marriages, circumcision and domestic chores.

At Jerusalem Academy in Chepareria, six girls scored above 400 marks.

The director of the school, Mr Chris Lotelemoi, said it has 70 candidates with a mean score of 376 marks.

He said the lowest has 342 marks.

KERIO VALLEY
The best performing girl scored 418 marks, followed by Fabian Pchumba (413), Patience Chepkopus (411) and Ruth Chemtai (410).

There was jubilation at Atiar Primary School in the cattle rustling-prone Bartabwa, Baringo North Sub-County, where the top pupil, Joy Jeptui Chepkelio, 14, attained 411 marks.

Another pupil from the volatile Mukutani in Baringo South got 396 marks.

In Elgeyo-Marakwet County, Kerio Valley posted remarkable results, with Kaino Kiptoo Brian from Toroko Primary School scoring 415 marks.

PRIVATE SCHOOLS

Female candidates Sophia Biwot and Frida Kosgei posted 399 and 396 marks respectively.

At Chorwo Academy in Marakwet East Sub-County, the top candidate got 401 marks.

Private schools in the region performed well, with Little Lambs in Eldoret having more than 30 students scoring 400 marks and above.

Faith Jeptoo Kiplagat and Naomi Chemutai Soi got 435 marks.

Others who had good results include Kisilu Sherry Mutheu (434), Wafula Pius Cresent (431) and Merur Alexander Kiprop (431).

REMARKABLE
Also posting impressive results was Queen of Angels Academy in Eldoret, which produced 15 candidates with 400 marks and above.

The top pupil at the school, Dante Asiko Kadaga, scored 436 marks, followed by Doreen Jepng’etich Yego (435).

Kipkeino School had over 20 candidates scoring more than 400 marks, with the leading pupil, Rono Bill Kibet Rotich, attaining 429 marks.

In Nandi County, pupils, teachers and parents said performance was remarkable.

400 MARKS

Bishop Muge Primary’s Agatha Jepchirchir, who was among the top performers with 439 marks, attributed her success to spirited efforts and a good learning environment.

“I am very grateful and hope that my dream to join one of the best national schools will materialise,” Jepchirchir said.

In Bungoma County, 14-year-old Tatiana Wabwile from Bungoma DEB Primary School scored 441 marks to emerge tops in the county.

Some 40 pupils from the school scored 400 marks and above.

At Marell Academy, Stacy Adalla scored 440 marks and Collins Wangila 431.

Reported by Sammy Lutta, Oscar Kakai, Florah Koech, Philip Bwayo, Philemon Suter, Wycliff Kipsang, Barnabas Bii, Dennis Lubanga and Gerald Bwisa