Kakamega Schools Celebrate Exceptional KCSE Performance

By Strilus Bellbut
Joyous celebrations erupted across Kakamega County as schools rejoiced over their outstanding performance in the 2024 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) exams, shortly after the results were released by Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba.
Students, parents, and staff alike took to their homes and schools in unbridled celebration, marking what many considered a historic achievement.
At Kakamega High School, the mood was particularly festive. Julius Mambili, the school's Chief Principal, shared the news that their 610 candidates had achieved an impressive mean grade of B (plain), with 180 students qualifying for direct university entry.
"These are the best results we have ever recorded," said Mr. Mambili proudly. He further attributed the success to the students' diligence and unwavering commitment to their studies.
"We are just getting started. The sky isn’t the limit for my boys," he continued. "I promise that we will work even harder in the coming years."
The success of Kakamega High School mirrored the performance of many other schools across the county. The education sector in Kakamega has seen significant improvement, with institutions such as Mukumu Boys in Shinyalu, Shikoti Mixed Secondary in Lurambi, and Sivile Secondary School in Navakholo also celebrating excellent results.
Nationally, this year’s KCSE results showed notable improvement, with 1,693 students earning an A (plain) grade, a significant rise from last year's 1,216 candidates who achieved the same.
However, not all feedback was positive. A number of parents in Kakamega expressed frustration over technical difficulties in accessing the exam results, with slow internet speeds and system outages hampering the retrieval process.
This mirrored similar challenges faced by parents during the 2023 Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) results release. Some parents called on the Ministry of Education to address these recurring issues to prevent anxiety during future results releases.
Despite these challenges, there was much to celebrate at Shikoti Mixed Secondary School in Lurambi Sub County. Headteacher Godfrey Nangabo beamed with pride as he announced that the school's top student had earned an impressive grade of A- (minus).
"We gather today to thank God for this miracle," Nangabo said. "This is a clear indication that Shikoti can succeed, despite being a day school."
Under Nangabo's leadership since 2023, Shikoti has worked tirelessly to improve academic performance, and the results were a testament to the school's hard work and commitment.
"This class was called the record-breakers, and indeed, they have made history," he said. "Our target was a mean grade of 5.4, and I believe we will get there after analysis."
As students across the county reflected on their results, many expressed excitement about their future academic pursuits. Christiano Charles Anguba, a former student of Merishaw School in Kajiado and a native of Lurambi Sub County, proudly shared his plan to pursue a degree in psychology abroad.
"I'm thrilled to have achieved a mean grade of A (plain). I'm now ready to pursue my dreams," he said.
His father, Festus Anguba, expressed immense pride in his son's hard work and dedication.
I"I always saw the potential in him," Festus said. "The money I invested in his education has borne fruit, and I will continue supporting him in every way possible."
In the end, despite the minor setbacks in accessing the results, Kakamega County’s exceptional performance in the 2024 KCSE is a clear indication of the growing academic excellence in the region. The future looks bright for the students, and their hard work has set a new standard for schools in the county.