By Sarah Omondi
Magata Bruce Mackenzie from Gilgil Academy is the 2021 Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCSE) top student after garnering 428 marks.
Bruce was followed closely by Momanyi Ashley Kerubo of Makini School who scored 427 marks and Holy Family Misikhu Girls Kuoma Charity who got 426 marks.
Other top performers were Emmanuel Academy’s Mbugua Sharon Wairimu, Muteti Shantel Ndinda of Kitengela International, Njeru Joel Musyoka of Nyagwa primary and Kirinya Muriuki Victor of Mwimbi PCEA primary.
Education CS George Magoha, while releasing the results at Mitihani House in Nairobi, said the overall performance had improved though the top student scored five marks less.
Mumo Faith topped in 2020 exams with 433 marks.
Prof Magoha said girls performed better than boys in languages while boys topped in STEM subjects.
He said 320 candidates across seven exam centres attempted to collude during the exams and will alongside headteachers be punished.
The don ruled out cases of exam cheating saying the papers could not leak and were only being taken pictures while the exams are ongoing.
“Show us the papers the day before. They are pictured same day and shared while exams continue,” he said adding that teachers and learners found culpable will not be spared.
Some 1, 225, 997 learners sat the exams across the country’s 28, 248 exam centres manned by 242, 406 teachers.
Prof Magoha said measures had been put in place to ensure the selection process start soonest possible preferably in two weeks time.
The CS warned school heads in private and public schools against withholding exams for any learner over fee arrears saying those found culpable will be severely dealt with.
“They must give the results. Is it your school or is Kenya your country?” he posed adding that it was his and President Uhuru Kenyatta’s wish that every child that sat the exams gets results.
He said headteachers should deal with fee arrears issues later.
The number of learners who did not sit exams reduced from 12, 424 in 2020 to 11, 500.
The CS also announced that 9000 needy but bright learners will benefit from government’s Elimu Scholarship bringing to 27, 000 the total number of program beneficiaries since 2019.
“I am proud of my record as I prepare to hand over the mantle to my successor,” he said.
Candidates should send a short message bearing their index number followed by KCPE to 20076 to access their results.
Here at The Press Point, we congratulate all the candidates.
