Top achievers reveal their secret, their ambitions

Sarah Gitu (center) celebrates the achievement of her son Ian Njuru Gitu (right) flanked by his siblings Lisa Gitu and Louis Gitu at their home, on December 30, 2015. Ian Gitu of Thika Road Christian Primary School was the highest with 435 marks in the 2015 Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) results. He said his success is a product hard work and putting God first. PHOTO | CHRIS OMOLLO | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • I hope to attend Mang’u High School and venture into entrepreneurship in the future,” said Allan.
  • Madina said she was always fascinated by people who got good marks. She decided that one day she would be among those who score high marks.
  • Grace advises candidates who will sit the examination next year to believe in God, revise a lot and focus on their studies.

Ian Njuru Gitu 435 marks

Thika Road Christian Primary School
Nairobi County

“My success is a product hard work and putting God first. My parents ensured I had everything I needed. I hope to join Starehe Boys Centre. My dream is to become a surgeon,” He said. His mother Sarah Gitu attributed her son’s success to his hard work and the efforts of his teachers.

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Allan Kimani Ndirangu 434 marks
St Mary Sports View Academy
Nairobi County
“I attribute my success to my obedience to my parents and teachers’ advice as well as a positive attitude. I hope to attend Mang’u High School and venture into entrepreneurship in the future,” said Allan. He father Samuel Ndirangu said: “I thank the teachers for helping my boy succeed and I believe he would go on to achieve his goals.”

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Madina Adoyo Onyango
434 marks
Bidii Primary School

Madina said she was always fascinated by people who got good marks. She decided that one day she would be among those who score high marks. “That was the turning point for me. I have not always been a top performer, but when I changed my attitude, started waking up earlier, revising at night after finishing my homework, I began to see change,” said the aspiring journalist.

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Valerie Wamboi
Juja Preparatory School 428 marks
Kiambu County

“ I worked hard and received a lot of support from my parents. I want to join Precious Blood Riruta because it is a very successful school. I hope to become an accountant when I grow up because I enjoy doing mathematics,” said Valerie. Her grandfather Simon Peter Mburu attributed his granddaughter’s success to her focus. “We provided her with everything she needed to succeed and it paid off,” said Mr Mburu.

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Alvin Karugu Wanyonyi 421 marks
Olerai Primary School
Kajiado County
“I worked very hard and was prayerful. I was attentive to my teachers and always worked on my weak subjects. I hope to attend Nairobi School because I admire its performance and extracurricular activities, particularly rugby. I hope to be an aeronautical engineer,” said Alvin. His father Edwin Wanyonyi attributed his son’s success to prayer. “Even though he engaged in extracurricular activities, he was focused,” he said.

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Sharon Nzoki Bosire 421 marks
Victory Junior Academy, Busia County.
The aspiring neurosurgeon attributes her good performance to faith in God and consistent studying. “I always prayed to God and kept studying and hoped for the best. I have always been either position one or two in examinations,” said Nzioki who was accompanied by an elated father Bernard Bosire.

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Victor Kariuki Njambi
He sat his exams on a wheel chair and still managed 426 marks
Victor was away from school for two terms, he spent three months in India where he was receiving treatment for his spinal cord. Victor attributes his stellar performance to working hard, and having the will and faith to make it in life. His mother Emma Mburu said his teachers taught him at home two weeks prior to the tests.

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Grace Mukami Kaunda
Tender Care Junior Academy
Grace advises candidates who will sit the examination next year to believe in God, revise a lot and focus on their studies. “I knew I would perform well as I gave that examination my best,” said the aspiring surgeon. She attributes her good performance to trusting her teachers and seeking help when she got stuck.

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Eva Muthoni Gichuki 415 marks Jonathan Gloag Academy
“It was what I expected,” said the 14-year-old who hopes to join Precious Blood Riruta. Her ambition is to start a business in real estate some day.

The first born in a family of two credited her success to hard work, sacrifice and support from parents and teachers. Her favourite subject in school was mathematics.

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Janice Mwingi Mutinda 441 marks
Bidii Primary School
The aspiring cardiologist said to get the high marks that she scored, she listened to her teachers keenly and did a lot of revision in the areas she was weak in. She advises the candidates sitting next year’s exams to not to only depend on what the teachers have taught, but to take the initiative and read a lot.

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Ryan Mokua Maeba 432 marks
Josnah Primary School
Nairobi County
“I studied and had faith in my teachers. I hope to attend Alliance Boys High School. I want to be a scientist to help find the cure for Aids,” said Ryan. His father Evans Maeba said his hard work paid off.

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Brian Muthoka Mburu 436 marks
Tender Care Junior Academy
Brian attributed his good performance to reading instructions keenly, putting God first and revising daily. “I would wake up at 5am every day to revise. I am so happy with this results and I want to be an electric engineer when I grow up,” he said when the Nation caught up with him at home in Nairobi.

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Annete Achieng Onyango 436 marks
Bidii Primary School
The aspiring family lawyer said motivation from parents and teachers, trusting in God helped her get the good marks. She hopes to join the Alliance Girls High School.