The 2025 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examinations have once again showcased remarkable academic achievements across the nation, with thousands of students reaffirming their promise through resilience and sustained excellence. A total of 993,226 students sat for the KCSE papers, and out of these, 270,715 successfully secured direct entry slots into public and private universities by attaining the crucial C+ grade or higher. An additional 507,131 students achieved either a C or C- grade, reflecting a broad spectrum of performance.

Among the standout individual performers are those who consistently demonstrated excellence from their primary school days. Magata Bruce Mackenzie, who topped the 2021 KCPE exams with 428 marks from Gilgil Hills Academy, continued his stellar run by scoring a straight A (84 points) at Alliance High School. Bruce attributed his success to consistency and humility, alongside intelligence. Similarly, Momanyi Ashley Kerubo, who scored 427 marks in KCPE 2021 from Makini School, matched Bruce’s performance with a plain A (84 points) at Kenya High School, embodying academic continuity.

A unique story of twin excellence emerged with Maureen Kemunto Kerina of Alliance Girls High School attaining a straight A (84 points), while her twin sister Michelle Mochache Kerina, attending Loreto High School Limuru, closely followed with an A (83 points). The twins, who had also performed commendably in KCPE 2021, highlighted the power of mutual motivation despite being in different institutions.

Other notable top performers with A plain grades include:

• Odhiambo Raydexter Amayo (84 points) from Mbita High
• Wawira Derick Munene (84 points) from Kangaru School
• Mutheu Mutuku (84 points) from Muthale Girls
• June Mwende (84 points) from Kangaru Girls
• Sharlin Bella Wakala from Bunyore Girls High School
• Denis Koech Kirwa (84 points) from St Patrick's High School, Iten
• Onywera Juan Mbaai (84 points) from Machakos School
• Abdallah Mo (84 points) from Meru School
• Magdalene Rioba (83 points) from Limuru Girls
• Tafroza Msimbi from Nairobi School
• Kamonjo Samuel Njau (83 points) from Baricho Boys High school
• Mutua Joshua Mutua (83 points) from Baricho Boys High school
• Ngeno Doreen Chebet (82 points) from St Therese Mbooni Girls High
• Pauline Adhiambo Gloria from Bunyore Girls High School
• Taabu David Egesa from St Joseph's Boys National School
• Khaula Abubakar Salim (81 points) from Mamburui Secondary
• Ivy Chepkoech Langat (82 points) from Moi Girls High School, Eldoret
• Gloria Kerubo Magato from Moi Girls High School, Eldoret
• Brian Kibet Rotich (81 points) from Kericho High School
• Meshack Nzioka with an A-

Several schools also celebrated stellar institutional performances. Pangani Girls’ School in Nairobi was engulfed in jubilation as Principal Millie Odhiambo announced their impressive mean grade of 9.7. While this was a marginal dip from the previous year’s 9.8, the school significantly improved its