Hushed celebrations for Baringo stars

 By Noah Cheploen and Manuel Ntoyai

There were muted celebrations in cattle rustling-prone areas of Baringo county such as Kipindasum Primary School in Mukutani ward, where candidates posted stellar performance despite the tough circumstances in the area. 

Yesterday, Kipindasum school head teacher Maria Mursoi attributed the good results to “God’s work”,  saying the school that had been turned into a camp for internally displaced persons for the last five years did extremely well.

The top candidate Bramwel Kipngemui Chepkuto scored 386 marks while the class of 16 candidates managed a mean grade of 320 up from 297 last year. 

“It is the first time in many years that we did our exams in our school,” she said, adding that previously their candidates were accommodated in neighbouring schools owing to insecurity. 

“During exams, we were under strong police guard round the clock because this is a very dangerous area, many have been killed, displaced and maimed,” added the head teacher. 

Mursoi said residents have fled the area owing to insecurity and was heading to the school yesterday hoping to get a few candidates so they could celebrate together. 

At the neighbouring Kasiela Primary School, Valary Jelagat Kibowen emerged top of the class after scoring 363 marks. She scored 72 marks in English, 81 in Math and 74  in Science. 

Order operation

The two schools are among four that were reopened in January at a function officiated by Devolution Cabinet Secretary Eugene Wamalwa, Baringo Governor Stanley Kiptis, and area MP Charles Kamuren, among other leaders. 

Last year, the government gazetted more than 19 locations in Baringo as unsafe and disturbed and ordered a security operation to tackle the runaway insecurity.

Lawrence Mwetich of Greenview Academy in Eldama Ravine was the leading candidate in Baringo county with 430 marks.

Meanwhile, there was jubilation at Thika Primrose Primary School in Kiambu county as staff and parents celebrated excellent performance by the school’s candidates.Secure positions

Cheruiyot Tedd Kimosop, 14, topped the class after scoring 420 marks followed closely by Thiga Zawadi Wanjiku at 419 marks out of 500.  Their head teacher Gideon Okemwa said 13 candidates scored 400 marks and above while 55 out of the 59 pupils who sat the exam at the school got 300 and above, meaning they could secure positions in county and national schools. 

At the same time, the hope of many girls at Lenkai Christian School has been renewed after this year’s KCPE  exam results.Rescued from FGM

With some girls having been rescued from female genital mutilation (FGM), early marriages, child abuse and neglect, the 16 candidates passed the national test.

 Cecil Tenkes Nang’unai emerged the top student in the school after scoring 421 marks followed by Amos Pepoti (409) and Leina Tetile (387). 

“I hope to join Kenya High and in future I would like to pursue aeronautical engineering,” said 14-year-old Cecil. 

“The school which is part of The Hope Beyond Foundation, has not only provided shelter for the rescued learners, but is also geared towards helping the children access their rights under the Kenya Children’s Act 2001 and the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child,” said Dorcus Parit, the centre founder and director.