Goldalyn Kakuya from St Ann Junior Academy, Lubao in Kakamega County is the top candidate in the 2017 Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) exams with 455 marks out of a possible 500.
She surpassed last year’s top score of 437 marks registered by Victor Oduor Odhiambo of Daisy Special School, also from Kakamega County. In 2016, the top candidate had s 449 marks.
Education Cabinet Secretary Dr Fred Matiang’i, who released the results this morning at the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development in Nairobi, noted that Odhiambo would not have made it among the 20 highest scorers in 2017, emphasising on the improvement witnessed in this year’s examination.
A total of 9,846 pupils managed to surpass the 400 mark, the CS said, adding that there was remarkable improvement in public schools performance. According to Matiang’i, the second best candidate scored 447 marks and is from Kathigiri public boarding school in Meru.
Other top performers, according to reports coming in, include Sharon Muthoni of St Peters Elite School in Gilgil, who also scored 447 marks, Nicole Achieng from Lakewood Premier School in Nakuru, who scored 445 marks, Gitahi Ryan Kamundia (Nyeri Good Shepherd, 438 marks),Swaleh Rama (St Kelvin Academy in Mombasa, 432 marks), Nicole Cheruto Bor (Moi Education Centre, Nairobi, 430 marks), Hanaan Amer (The Nyali School, 428 marks), Ali Hussein (The Nyali Primary School, 428 marks), Kipkoech Amos (Dr Steury Memorial Primary School, Tenwek, 427 marks) and Joy Jeptui Chepkelion (Atiar Primary School in Baringo North, 411 marks).
Matiang’i said all candidates, who scored 400 marks and above, will be placed in National Schools saying there will be no discrimination in the placement. Six candidates with Special needs in the top 100 categoty will also be admitted in national s.chools
There have been celebrations across the country as candidates establish how they performed in the exams, whose resulted were released in a record 19 days since they were concluded amid tight security. No case of cheating was reported this year.
RELATED: Meet Goldalyn Kakua, the best pupil in KCPE 2017
The KCPE candidates can access their results through SMS and online platforms by sending their index number to 22252 or on the KNEC website.
For the first time, candidates who missed examinations because of ill health, child birth or the death of a parent will be given a second chance after President Uhuru Kenyatta ordered they be allowed to sit for special supplementary examinations.
“The President has directed the Education CS to set special supplementary examinations for a special cadre of students who because of compassionate reasons such as falling ill, losing their parents or giving birth may have difficulty doing exams during the normal time,” State House spokesman Manoah Esipisu said during a press conference at Harambee House.
President Uhuru also welcomed the Supreme Court decision that affirmed his win in the October 26 fresh election and pledged to work for all Kenyans.
