(PHOTOS) KCPE candidates shine despite pandemic

2020 KCPE candidates have proven that a pandemic cannot stop them from performing better as the results were announced on Thursday.

Education CS George Magoha released the results on Thursday afternoon, with the top student, Faith Mumo, scoring 433 marks, from Kari Mwailu Primary School in Makueni county.

Female candidates from public schools topped the KCPE 2020 exam.

8,091 candidates scored above 400 marks, 282,000 scored between 300 to 399 marks and 589,000 scored 200 to 299 marks.

Girls performed slightly better in English, Kiswahili and Kenyan Sign Language.

 Meanwhile, boys performed better in Math, Science and Social Studies.

Last year, 1,083,456 learners sat the 2019 exam.

Among 3,500 girls in primary school who were found to be pregnant, more than 200 candidates sat for the exam.

Education CS George Magoha spoke of the trials of reopening schools amid a pandemic.

"There were those who castigated the move, saying we were putting the lives of children at risk and making them guinea pigs....we stood firm," he said.

Seven candidates were found with prepared notes in exam rooms.

Magoha said all results will be released, but culprits will be pursued.

Here are the top scorers from different counties across the country;