2019 Best KCPE Achievers Shine Again in 2023 KCSE: How They Performed
Several high-performing candidates from the 2019 KCPE exam showcased outstanding academic achievements in the recent KCSE exam, securing opportunities to pursue their desired career paths. Surprisingly, a notable portion of the top scorers from the 2019 KCPE failed to secure a position among the high achievers in the Form Four national examination.
A thorough comparison of the top performers’ lists from the two exams, held four years apart, reveals a significant influx of new talents dominating the current standings. Interestingly, a handful of individuals who excelled in the 2019 KCPE have reemerged in the spotlight as top performers in the 2023 KCSE exam.
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This trend suggests that many KCPE top scorers may fade into obscurity by the time they undertake the KCSE, the crucial final examination in secondary school determining university placement and course selection.
Noteworthy among the success stories is Koech Jeptoo June, who made an impressive comeback in this year’s KCSE. In the 2019 KCPE, Jeptoo achieved a score of 439, securing the top position nationally among female candidates. Despite sharing the position with two others, she emerged as the second-best student nationwide, earning admission to Pangani Girls’ School.
Upon the release of the 2023 KCSE exam results, Jeptoo once again found her name among the high achievers. While she did not reclaim the title of the best girl nationally, she maintained her academic excellence with an A-, positioning her among the country’s top students.
In 2019, the highest-scoring student achieved 440 marks in the KCPE. However, the final score in the KCSE exam for this student was yet to be established as of the time of reporting.
The 2023 KCSE results indicated that 9,686 candidates achieved Grades A and A-. Out of these, 1,216 candidates scored A, while another 8,470 secured A-. Jeptoo’s success story is not an isolated case, as several other former KCPE stars, including Naibei Dyleen Yego, have also made notable comebacks in last year’s KCSE exam.
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Naibei Dyleen Yego, a standout student from El Shaddai Academy in Utawala, recorded an impressive achievement with a score of 430 marks in the 2019 KCPE, falling just 10 points short of the country’s top student. Transitioning to the 2023 KCSE exam, she continued to excel, securing an A- at Kenya High School.
Maria Clara Achieng, another 2019 KCPE star who scored 426 marks at Lwak Girls in Siaya, also found success at Kenya High School by achieving an A- in the KCSE exam.
While these KCPE stars may not maintain their previous rankings in KCSE, long-serving school principal Kahi Indimuli emphasizes that their performance remains stellar. According to him, the focus should be on the points achieved rather than a rigid ranking system.
Noteworthy Performances:
- Naibei Dyleen Yego: KCPE 2019 – 430 marks, KCSE 2023 – A- at Kenya High School
- Maria Clara Achieng: KCPE 2019 – 426 marks, KCSE 2023 – A- at Kenya High School
Indimuli, who recently retired after 34 years in education, explains that the pressure on top KCPE performers to maintain their excellence can be overwhelming, leading to potential declines in academic performance.
Psychologist and psychiatrist Peter Njagi echoes Indimuli’s sentiments, suggesting that the pressure these students face may adversely affect their academic outcomes. For instance, a top-performing student from a well-established private school might struggle to adapt to the challenges of a public secondary school environment, impacting their academic performance.
Impressive Comebacks:
- Allan Kipkorir: KCPE 2019 – 422 marks, KCSE – Grade A at Alliance High School
- Basil Ondiwa: KCPE 2019 – 419 marks, KCSE – A at Maseno School
Deborah Nyarinda Nyangau, who scored 418 in her KCPE at Greenhill Academy in Kisii County, made a remarkable comeback by achieving an A- at Alliance Girls High School in the recent KCSE examinations.
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Other Notable Performances:
- Chumba Yna Cherotich: KCPE 5 years ago – 417 marks at Camelvale Catholic, KCSE 2023 – A at Moi High School, Kabarak
- Irungu Michael Makunyi: KCPE 2019 – 413 marks at St. Christopher in Nanyuki, KCSE – Grade A at Alliance High School
- Nuru Adnan: KCPE at Nyali Primary in Mombasa – 412 marks, KCSE – A at Light Academy, Mombasa
- Kariuki Grace: KCPE 2019 – 411 marks, KCSE – Grade A- at Mugoiri Girls High.
Former MM Shah Primary School student Mohamed Ahmed, who achieved a remarkable score of 408 marks, has also demonstrated excellence in the 2023 KCSE exam, securing an A at Light Academy in Mombasa.
Similarly, Kamau Peter Macharia, recognized as a KCPE star in 2019 with 407 marks from Bethlehem Academy in Kiambu, attained an A- this time.
While the top performers celebrate their achievements, Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu expressed concern about the rising number of low grades, particularly noting that 48,174 students received a Grade E.
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Machogu has directed the Directorate of Quality Assurance to collaborate with field officers and teachers to investigate the cases of Grade E in each county for appropriate action.
Expressing disappointment, Machogu emphasized, “I am distressed that a substantial number of candidates (48,174 or 5.33 per cent) still obtained a mean grade of E in the 2023 KCSE examination, despite the ministry’s implementation of a more flexible system for computing overall results.”
In the 2023 KCSE examination, a total of 899,453 candidates participated, with 450,554 being male and 448,899 female.
Remarkably, Mathematics showcased an improvement in performance for the first time, with a total of 12 subjects demonstrating significant progress. These subjects include Mathematics, Kiswahili, Biology, Biology for the Blind, CRE, Business Studies, German, Music, Chemistry, Building Construction, French, and Electricity.
Conversely, 14 subjects experienced a decline in performance compared to the 2022 KCSE results. These subjects are English, Kenyan Sign Language, Physics, Computer Studies, History & Government, Geography, IRE, Agriculture, Home Science, Wood Work, Metal Work, Power Mechanics, Drawing & Design, and Art & Design.
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2019 Best KCPE Achievers Shine Again in 2023 KCSE: How They Performed
