KCPE top candidate scores 440 marks

What you need to know:

  • The number of candidates who managed 400 marks and above dropped from 11,559 in 2018 to 9,770.
  • A total of 1,088,986 candidates sat for the examinations last month.
  • For candidates, to get the scores, send INDEX NUMBER, followed by KCPE to 20076.

Andy Michael Munyiri of Damacrest Academy, Thogoto, is the top candidate in the 2019 KCPE national exams.

Munyiri scored 440 marks, one point above Flavian Onyango of Chakol Girls, June Cheptoo of Sangalo Central Academy, and Sean Michael Ndungu of Kitengela International School who tied at 439 marks.

In the results released on Monday by Education Cabinet Secretary Prof George Magoha at Mitihani House in Nairobi, the number of candidates who scored 400 marks and above dropped from 11,559 in 2018 to 9,770.

Andy Michael Munyiri of Damacrest Academy, Thogoto, is the top candidate in the 2019 Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) exams. PHOTO | REGINA KINOGU | NATION MEDIA GROUP

PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Two of the girls in the top four positions are from public schools, with Prof Magoha citing that their achievement is proof that the free primary education programme has come of age.

“This is also proof that our teachers are excelling despite the high enrolment numbers. It is also evident that girls are competing favourably with the boys,” he added.

Prof Magoha released exactly 18 days after the tests that were held at 27,000 exam centres.

Flavian Onyango of Chakol Girls with school headteacher Jesca Okochil. Flavian scored 439 marks tying with two others and a point below the top KCPE candidate. PHOTO | COURTESY

He addressed the nation after briefing President Uhuru Kenyatta on the exercise that marks transition from primary to secondary schools.

“I want to especially thank the multi-agencies that we have worked with throughout the last four years of the strict exam regime system. He (the president) has given us the blessings to give these results to the public,” he said.

1,088,986 CANDIDATES

A total of 1,088,986 candidates sat for the examinations between October 29 and October 31. Out of the total number, 50.17 per cent were boys and 49.82 per cent were girls.

June Jeptoo Koech of Sangalo Central Academy is carried shoulder high in celebrations at Kapteren in Elgeyo Marakwet County on November 18, 2019 after she scored 439 marks tying with two others and a point below the top KCPE candidate. PHOTO | WYCLIFFE KIPSANG | NATION MEDIA GROUP

Prof Magoha noted that 18 counties registered more females than males, they included Kakamega, Meru, Bungoma, Vihiga, Busia, Kiambu, Siaya, Kitui, Kisumu, Elgeyo Marakwet, Tharaka Nithi, Kirinyaga, Nyandarua, Trans Nzoia, Mombasa and Bomet.

The counties with the highest candidature were Nairobi, Kakamega and Nakuru while the ones with the lowest candidature were Lamu, Isiolo and Samburu.

The number of underage candidates increased from 15,747 last year to 20,086 this year. The counties that had the highest number of underage were Bungoma, Bomet and Kericho, while the counties that had the highest number of overage candidates (above 19 years) were Turkana, Garissa and Kilifi.

Sean Michael Ndung'u of Kitengela International School is carried shoulder high in celebrations on November 18, 2019 after he scored 439 marks tying with two others and a point below the top KCPE candidate. PHOTO | COLLINS OMULO | NATION MEDIA GROUP

Marking of the examination was concluded on Friday and was done by 6,440 examiners for English composition and Kiswahili Insha papers.

MALPRACTICES

“I am proud to say there were few cases of malpractices with only two cases of impersonation being reported and none of the examination papers leaked nor were there any fake examination papers. Candidates should be proud of their results,” he said.

The multiple choice papers were marked through the Optical Mark Recognition machine, which processes marked data from candidates’ answer sheets using specialised scanning.

The CS further commended parents for helping reduce the number of pregnancies this year. He noted that the occurrence of pregnant candidates were significantly lower as compared to last year.

“I am glad that our parents and teachers succeeded in reducing the number of pregnancies during the examination. I urge parents to continue to spend time with their children to reduce the calamines of our children being impregnated by hyenas,” he said.

TRANSITION

Prof Magoha noted that the Ministry and National Government will ensure that there is a 100 per cent transition rate of all candidates to secondary schools.

“All candidates will have a place in secondary school and selection will be done through a fair and transparent process,” he said.

The CS said that Form One selection will be done by December 2 to ensure that parents have enough time to prepare their children for the coming year.

Prof Magoha further said that the ministry and national government has set aside Sh8bn to improve infrastructure in primary and secondary schools in 110 sub-counties in 30 counties. He also noted that the government will offer 9000 scholarships to students.

“Everything is being done to ensure that infrastructure is expanded in all schools to cater for the 100 per cent transition. I will ensure that the public gets value for that money,” he said.

WATCH: Magoha announces KCPE results


Earlier updates:

  • KCPE top candidate, Andy Munyiri of Damacrest School, Thogoto, has scored 440 marks out of a possible 500.
  • Flavian Onyango, June Cheptoo, Michael Ndungu tie at 439 marks.
  • Education Cabinet Secretary Prof George Magoha said 9,770 candidates have scored 400 marks, a drop from 11,559 candidates last year.
  • For candidates, to get the scores, send INDEX NUMBER, followed by KCPE to 20076.
  • The CS says the government targets 100 percent transition of pupils to secondary schools.
  • He said all pupils will have been placed in secondary schools by December 2.
  • CS says 9,000 scholarships will be offered.
  • Government has set aside Sh8 million to improve schools infrastructure in 110 sub-counties, in 30 counties.
  • Teachers Service Commission CEO Nancy Macharia says 56 teachers are under investigations for KCPE examinations malpractices.
  • Prof Magoha has briefed President Uhuru Kenyatta before releasing the results.
  • A total of 1,088,986 candidates sat for the examinations in October.


Earlier story,

Education stakeholders are gathered at the Kenya National Examinations Council (Knec) headquarters along Dennis Pritt Road, Nairobi for the release of this year’s Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) examination results.

Knec officials were holed up in a daylong meeting to plan on the release of the results after which invitation were sent on Sunday evening.

The stakeholders were directed to be at the Knec offices by 9am.

Education Cabinet Secretary Prof George Magoha has briefed President Uhuru Kenyatta before releasing the results.

Speaking at State House Nairobi, the President commended the Ministry of Education and Knec for ensuring that the examination was undertaken without any hitch, terming the exercise a major success. 

MARKING

A total of 1,088,986 candidates sat for the examinations last month.

Marking of the examination was concluded on Friday and was done by 6,440 examiners for English composition and Kiswahili Insha papers.

The multiple choice papers were marked through the Optical Mark Recognition (OMR) machine, which processes marked data from candidates’ answer sheets using specialised scanning.

During the examinations, 17 people were arrested in connection with irregularities in Nyandarua County.

-Reporting by Sarah Nanjala, Ouma Wanzala, Harry Misiko and Hellen Githaiga.