Magata Bruce Mackenzie, Gilgil Hills Academy, Nakuru county, 428 marks

Mackenzie, the top candidate in this year’s exam and who hopes to join Alliance Boys High School, said his sterling performance is attributed to hard work and putting extra hours to studying and has eventually paid off.

“I expected to pass my exams but not lead in the country. I thank God because this would not have happened without Him. Studying extra hours, has led to this success,” Mackenzie, who hopes to become a robotics engineer after secondary school, said.

Momanyi Ashley Kerubo (427), Makini School Kibos, Kisumu

An elated Ashley, 14, attributed her good performance to discipline, hard work and support from teachers, parents and fellow candidates. “I am so happy and give thanks to God for enabling me to be among the top candidates nationally,” she said. “I am so proud of myself and I would also want to congratulate the other candidates for the exemplary performance,” she said. Ashley was also full of praise for her parents, saying they had pushed and encouraged her all the way. She hopes to join Kenya High. Her father, Geoffrey Bigogo saidAshley is a hardworking girl who always took her studies seriously.

Shantel Ndinda (426), Kitengela International Sch, Kajiado

“I am very happy with the results. Surely my toil and prayers have been repaid. I really didn’t expect it. I thank God for the good marks. I am hoping to join Kenya High. I would like to be a cardiologist.”

Kamau Ethan Karuga (426), Stepping Stones Preparatory School, Thika, Kiambu

 Karuga who emerged third top in the country, attributed his splendid performance to God, support from parents, discipline and hard work.

He said he aspires to pursue computer science once he completes secondary school. His mother, Jane Kimani, said they have been burning midnight oil to help the youngster catch up with the syllabus.

“When Magoha announced that he was number three in the country, I was shocked because he had recounted how the second-day papers were tough. This is a milestone for us,” said Kimani.

Emmanuel Kaberia (425), New Bambini School in Thika, Kiambu

Emmanuel attributed his excellent performance to hard work, resilience and support from teachers.

“With the help of my parents and teachers, I am glad I emerged the best in the region,” Kaberia who aspires to join Alliance Boys High School, stated.

Gift Misiko (418), Juja Preparatory School, Kiambu

Gift noted that despite the academic disruptions precipitated by Covid-19, his hard work, commitment and prayers made him shine.

The 13-year-old who is aspiring to become a dental surgeon after studying at Mang’u High School thanked the government for facilitating a seamless examination processd.

The school principal, Evans Mugunya, who spoke at the school, expressed joy at the outcome.

“We have a positive recording of students with above 400 marks from 3 in 2020 to 19 in 2021, with our mean grade improving from 363 to 383 marks,” he said.

Yuri Jimbo (412) Tenri Primary School, Embu

Yupi, a Japanese-Kenyan pupil who joined the school in 2014, has beaten all olds to score an impressive 412 marks in the 2021 KCPE examination. Yuri, 16, who joined the school in Standard One, initially had challenges mastering various subjects. Her worst subject was Kiswahili, where she consistently scored zero marks during examinations.

Come the KCPE exam and Yuri beat all odds to score an impressive 78 marks in the subject, to the delight of her Kenyan mother, Caroline Wanja.

“When Yuri joined the school, she was completely unable to speak or write Kiswahili but we are happy that she was able to learn and perform extremely well,” said Wanja.

Yuri attributed her good performance to dedication, fear of God and hard work. “I lack words to express my happiness, I am grateful to God for my performance,” she said. She hopes to join Alliance Girls High School and later study medicine.

Joshua Safari (421) Busy Bee Primary school, Mombasa

Safari, 14, says he aspires to join Alliance Boys High School and later pursue medicine.

“My dream has been to study at Alliance or Starehe Boys Centre and later study medicine. I am happy because I have performed well,” said Safari.

He attributed his success to hard work and a good relationship with his teachers. Safari’s mother Lorraine Mlamba, termed his son as a hard working boy,  who has always demonstrated interest in his studies.

“My son is a go-getter, he has always told me he wants to pursue medicine and I am happy his dreams are now taking the right path,” said Mlamba.

Ruweidah Kafizah Kassim (416), Memon Academy, Mombasa

Ruweidah attributed her success in the exams to hard work and support from parents and teachers.

An overjoyed Ruweidah plans to join Alliance Girls High School and later pursue medicine at university. “I want to pursue medicine and help the society with my skills. I studied hard and I attribute my overall success to the support I received from my parents,” she said.

Mohamed Hussein (412), Memon Academy, Mombasa

Hussein, 15, attributed his success to sheer hard work, support from teachers and parents as well as prayers. Hussein, who says he wants to join Memon High School in the same compound, expressed his joy for emerging the top candidate in his school. He said Kiswahili was the most difficult subject. His dream is to study medicine after high school.

“I feel good, I have made my mother proud especially after taking care of me after the death of my father in 2020. My relationship with teachers combined with a lot of prayers and revision propelled me to success,” said Hussein.

William Kibet (416), Bethany Academy, Kwale

Kibet, 14, attributed his success to hard work, discipline and support of his family and the school community.

“Without them, it would not have been possible to post such excellent results, I thank God for them,” said Kibet, who wishes to pursue engineering after completing his secondary school.

Douglas Gichuki (403), Tenri Primary Schoool, Embu

Gichuki said he burnt the midnight oil to score the impressive results.

“I am happy for my performance and I look forward to extending this excellent academic record to secondary school,” he told People Daily.

Arnold Mjomba (412), Hill School, Uasin Gishu

Arnold attributes his success to God. He narrated how he almost skipped the examination due to a sudden illness.

“When I was writing my Kiswahili paper, I felt some dizziness forcing me to go and wash my face. I thank God that I later felt okay and continued with the exam,” said Arnold, who hopes to join Mang’u High School and later study engineering.

Imamai Amy Desta (416), Greenvale School, Uasin Gishu

Desta hopes to join Moi Girls High School in Eldoret and later study medicine. She would like to specialise in gynaecology.

“My hard work and dedication to studies has paid off. I thank my parents and teachers for the supper they gave me. Hard work and trusting in the Lord has been my driving force in life,” said Desta.

Sheini Regina Soila (421), St Mary’s Girls School, Narok

It was tears of joy for Narok’s top girl, Sheini Regina Soila who scored 421 marks in the examination to emerge the top student in the county.

In an interview yesterday, an overjoyed Regina attributed her success to discipline and listening to her teachers’ guidance.

Regina, the last born in a family of nine said she would like to join the Kenya High to advance her dream of becoming a pilot when she completes her university education.

“My performance is through hard work and I thank my teachers, my mum and Father Felix, a Catholic priest who paid for my fees, I am proud that I have not let them down,” she said.