KCSE 2024: Joy as mother, daughter score university entry grades in Samburu

Imagine going back to school and sitting for the same national examination in the same year with your child or parent! That’s the story of Selina Lesuruapus, a mother of three from Samburu County, who sat for the 2024 KCSE exam alongside her daughter, Faith Loriakwe.

Both candidates attained university entry grades, with the mother of three leading with a grade of B-, while her daughter, Faith, followed with a close C+ grade.

The mother-daughter duo has put the little-known village of Baraka, located on the outskirts of Maralal Town, Samburu County, on the map.

The two were among the 961,000 KCSE candidates who received their results this week.

"Niko na watoto watatu na nilipata grade ya B-. Nilisomea shule ya adults, na kutokana na changamoto mingi ambayo nimepitia hakika nimefurahia hii results. Nashukuru pia familia yangu ambayo wamenikubalia nisome, kwa sababu katika hii community yetu ya pastoralists si rahisi mzazi pamoja na watoto wake wanaenda kusoma,” Selina said.

Faith added, "Nimepata grade ya C+. Kwa mimi nasikia vizuri sana juu tumepita na mathe. Nitakapoenda university, nataka kuwa mwalimu pia nikuje nijumuike na jamii na pia kuwasaidia katika kuwafunza."

An elated Selina was a victim of early marriage, which is common within the pastoralist communities, and missed out on the chance for an education early in her life.

That didn’t deter her, and she picked up where she left off in her education journey in her adult life. With the blessing of her husband, she is quenching her thirst for education.

As they await joining university to actualize their dream careers of becoming teachers, they believe they will bring much-needed change in transforming their community.

"Ningependa nikienda university nikaweze kusoma, na mimi ningependa kuwa mwalimu so that I will give back to the community, maana huku kwetu watu wengi hawajasoma," Selina said.

"I was actually expecting these results for her because she came knowing exactly what she wanted. That’s why, actually, you realize she made it, and I am happy she made it," Selina's Principal Peter Long'onyo added.

The challenges of parenting and running a household did not hinder Selina’s determination to sit her exam and pass well.

"Siri ni kwamba yeye alikuwa ako shule ya bweni. Akikuja ananisaidia. Tunapitia pamoja wakati wa likizo. Ninapitia papers zake, ananionyesha zile vitu wanasoma kwa shule yao, na hivyo ndiyo tumekuwa tukisaidiana," Selina said.

Selina's success is undoubtedly a game changer, especially in a community that still practices retrogressive cultural practices that deny the girl child an equal chance at quality education.