Top KCSE candidate reveals secret to success
Naomi Kagwira Karimi, the top student in 2017 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Examination (KCSE) student from Pangani Girls who managed a mean of 87.011 aimed at getting an A plain but has never imagined topping in the country.
The 17-year-old girl could not believe her ears when Education CS Fred Matiangi mentioned her name as the best student until she received several calls from journalists trying to locate where she was.
“When I heard my name mentioned as the best student, I doubted the news and continued watching television hoping that someone else could confirm for me. I couldn’t hold back my tears after I heard my name being read out by the CS. I started screaming in joy,” she said
She said she always worked hard by waking up as early as 4am for morning preps and going to bed as late as 11pm.
Naomi, who scored 422 marks in her Kenya Certificate of Primary Education at Chogoria Girls Primary Boarding School, attributed her good results to not only her hard work but also teachers who gave her all the attention she needed.
CARE AND GUIDANCE
She also thanked her parents who made sure she had all the care and guidance.
“My teachers always gave me and other students enough time to ensure that we understood everything,” she said.
She said that she is hoping to pursue civil engineering at the University of Nairobi because she liked physics.
Karimi said she has always believed in herself and felt that KCSE was not that much different from other mock examinations that she used to pass very well.
She urged other students to put efforts in their studies and to put God first in everything that they do.
The excited Karimi’s mother, Jane Kirimi, said her daughter’s success was her best achievement in life and was sure that she will one day became a senior person in the country.
She said her daughter never wasted time watching television but always used the precious time revising while at home for holidays.
“My daughter spent all her time studying or doing other relevant things that could help her do well in academics,” said Ms Kirimi.
WELL BEHAVED
She noted that her daughter was well behaved at home and in school and could not remember punishing her.
Ms Kirimi told parents to take time and guide their children and not to leave them to teachers only because they were also very critical in their lives.
Naomi’s father, Kirimi Kiriungi said his daughter had made him proud.
He said he always accompanied her to and from school to make sure that she was safe and focused.Top