Our hard work has eventually paid off, this was the statement made by some of the top 2023 KCPE candidates in Machakos and Kajiado counties.
Speaking to the Star as they celebrated their victories together with parents and teachers, most of the top performers attributed their exemplary results to hard work.
The students from various schools in the two counties scored 400 marks and above.
Those who scored above 390 marks also expressed their excitement about the performances.
They all said hard work was one of the strategies that made them shine.
"My top secret was hard work which paid off in my case," 14-year-old James Mande said. He scored 413 marks.
The boy who sat his examinations at Bridgan Academy in Joska, Machakos, aspires to be a doctor with his dream secondary school being Mang'u High School.
The children said discipline, prayers, sleepless nights and support from their parents, teachers and school management also played an important part towards their achievements.
Eleven candidates scored 400 marks and above at Bridgan Academy.
Franklin Kamau garnered 407 marks, Shon Nduva 406, Bradley Mbiti 405, Precious Monthe 403, Bianca Njoki 402, Margaret Atieno 406, Francis Munyau Musyoki 401, Thomas Kimeu 400, while Vincent Otieno managed 400 marks.
"It's hard work that one needs to inflict to score these marks. Wake up early in the morning and go to bed late in the evening," Kamau told the Star on Friday.
His dream school is Mang'u High School with aspirations to be a civil engineer.
"The early bird catches the worm," Kamau added.
Bridgan Group of Schools director Eugene Mwasia said three of the students who were on their needy children's scholarship program were among those who scored 400 marks and above.
"We have a sponsorship program for needy children. These are those whose parents can't afford to foot their school fees among other needs alongside orphans," Mwasia said.
"The beneficiaries of the program are more than 30 children. Three are among those who scored over 400 marks. We are grateful to the Lord."
The director also emphasised the need to protect and educate the girl child, but not forget the boy.
"If you educate a girl, you educate the whole world," Mwasia said.
The school's head teacher Mcdonald Juma said 26 candidates sat the exams in the school, 15 boys and 9 girls.
The last child scored 343 marks registering 388.62 mean score.
"We prepared our candidates well," he said.
