Students beat odds to shine in national examinations

A girl who was brought up in a children’s home overcame all odds to score 423 marks in this year’s Kenya Certificate of Primary Education examination, emerging the best female candidate in Embu County.

Social workers and destitute children at ACK St Stephen Children’s home are still celebrating after Alice Ngonyo, a former pupil at Weru’s Academy in Mbeere South, attained the feat. Ngonyo’s ambition is to become a doctor. Rev Mercy Muriithi, the home’s manager, said they expected Ngonyo to score high marks since she was diligent and usually helped her colleagues to do their homework.

The girl who hails from Kalimoni in Embu was raised by a single parent who is disabled, before joining the children’s home.

“She was brought to the home several years ago by a well wisher who saw her suffering. We are grateful to celebrate the good results,” said Ms Muriithi.

She said Ngonyo was diligent and dedicated to church work.

Ms Muriithi added that it is hard work that saw Ngonyo and three other children from the home offered a scholarship at Weru’s Academy. Her colleague at the children’s home, Elly Joy Mwende, scored 406 marks.

In Kakamega, 13-year-old Anthony Maloba from Daisy Special School is still celebrating after scoring 396 marks despite being admitted in hospital due to frequent bouts of sickle cell disease.

Maloba was in hospital when the results were released last week and did not get an opportunity to join his colleagues in celebrations.

The school produced the top candidate, Victor Oduor Odhiambo, who scored 437 marks.

Maloba says he looks forward to study medicine.

He visited the Nation office in Kakamega after being discharged from hospital accompanied by his teachers and two other candidates, who also overcame their disabilities to post impressive results.

“I had hoped to perform much better but the sickness affected my studies but that did not dampen my spirit to excel,” said Maloba.

Winston Wanyonyi, who has been battling a medical condition since he was born, scored 426 marks while Allan Agufa Odanga, also from the school, scored 422 marks. The school’s head teacher, Ms Rosemary Obiero said the candidates put their best foot forward to feature among top performers despite their disabilities. “The boys have shown great determination and did not let their medical condition and disabilities affect their performance,” she said.

Meanwhile, an actor with a local TV channel emerged the best in a class of 192 pupils. Bradley Mwendwa Ndivo, 14, who sat the exam at Kari Mwailu Primary in Makueni scored 419 marks. He attributed his success to mentorship and passion for drama.

Reported by Charles Wanyoro, Benson Amadala, Francis Mureithi and Pius Maundu.