Scores of top performers in the 2020 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) exams are set to earn part time jobs at a leading commercial bank as they await university placement.

The Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) yesterday announced it will absorb the top 50 beneficiaries of its KCB Foundation programme in a three-month apprenticeship at the bank. 

The 50 from the 2020 cohort, would serve at KCB branches in their locality. 

KCB Foundation Acting Chief of Party Caroline Wanjeri said they were delighted with the performance of their beneficiaries in the just released KCSE exam results. 

She said the KCB Foundation class achieved a mean of B (plain) in results, which saw Allan Udoma Wasonga from Agoro Sare High School in Oyugis, emerge the second top student nationally with a straight A of 87.1 points. 

“It’s a phenomenal and impactful story to see 90 per cent of the beneficiaries, who are drawn from needy backgrounds qualify for university places,” she said.  

In the results released on Monday, 50 of the 240 students, who sat for the test under the scholarship scored As and A minuses.  

“2020 was quite unprecedented year because of the Covid-19 pandemic, and the effects spilled over to our learners as well, given the effect on the school calendar and household finances.

As such, we are very proud of the results posted by each of our beneficiaries, who have demonstrated that with determination and focus, anyone can succeed,” she added.  

In addition to Allan, the other top performers who got straight As include Brian Otango from Friends’ School Kamusinga and Pareyio Pion from Alliance High School.  

Those who scored A (minus) included among others Mutua Patriciah Nzila from Moi Girls High School Eldoret, Dennis Odhiambo from Kisii High and Victor Onyango Orende from Maranda High School. 

Transition rate

Others were; Kiumba Karen Wambui from Bishop Gatimu Ngandu Girls High School, Praosidis Akinyi  and Jackline Mwavani Odiero from Asumbi Girls High School and Gitonga Risper Nkirote from Kaaga Girls High School.  

The scholarship programme started 14 years ago with the aim of supporting efforts to increase the transition rate from primary to secondary school.  

The KCB Foundation supports 240 students from across Kenya annually, 40 of them persons with disability, by providing a full four-year scholarship in public schools catering for school fees, stationery and uniforms.