He was a bookworm - Gilgil Hills director says of top KCPE boy

Bruce Magata, the best performer in the 2021 KCPE exams loved God and was always studying.

Speaking shortly after the release of the results at Gilgil Hills Schools in Nakuru County, the director of the school Beth Kanyi revealed that on most occasions, teachers had to force Magata to go out and play.

“He was always studying, we always had to push him to go out and play a little,” Kanyi said.

Bruce beat 1,214,030 other candidates who sat the exam to become the best with 428 marks.

"I'm very happy. I did not expect being Kenya one. I just like to give God all thanks because this wouldn't have happened if it wasn't for him," Bruce separately told the media.

He said his dream is to join Alliance Boys High School, Nairobi.

"I think from now on my life will go on well because I have a good head-start," Bruce said.

Kanyi attributed his commendable success to discipline and his love for God.

“He used to preach during assembly and in the class and there was no moment he wasted time,” Kanyi stated.

“So, it was hard work and prayers,” she added.

Kanyi said overall, the school performed better than last year. She said it took the hand of God for the school to achieve the milestone.

“When we heard Bruce Magata’s name, we became jubilant and we started screaming and we thanked God for answering our prayers, Kanyi said.

She said the school was able to produce the best candidate because of the self-drive among teachers and learners.

Other than Bruce, Gilgil Hills Academy produced several other top performers, including Clara Nyambura who scored 420 marks.

“I’m grateful to God, I’m grateful to my teachers and I’m also grateful for the support that I got from my mother,” Clara said.

Another top performer at the school is Winnie Nyambura who managed to attain 418 marks.

“I would like to join Kenya High School,” Nyambura said during a brief media interview.

Unlike in the 2020 exams where female candidates took eight of the 15 top slots, boys flipped the script and scooped eight of the top 14 slots in the 2021 exams.

The second position, however, went to a girl - Momanyi Ashley Kerubo of Makini School, Kibos, who scored 427 marks.

Six other candidates tied in the third position with 426 marks.

Among them were four girls and two boys.

These are Kwoma Charity Bunyanzi from Holy Family Misikhu, Mbugua Sharon Wairimu Muteti from Emmanuel Academy, Muteti Shantel Ndinda from Kitengela International School and Stanley Otieno Omondi from Finfield Junior Sec School.

Others are Wekesa Naomi from White Star Academy and Kimani Ethan Karuga from Stepping Stone Academy.

Six other candidates tied in the fourth position with 425 marks.

Five of the candidates were boys and just one girl.

These are Njeru Joel Junior Musyoka from Nyagwa primary, Kirinya Muriuki Victor from PCEA Boarding Primary and Diana Rose Natolo.

Others are Kaberia Emmanuel Munene, Emmanuel Kiplang'at Ngetich from Moi Primary School Kabarak and George Morris Otieno from Hill School.