Inside the Career of Kenya’s Highest KCPE Performer

Marita Nyakundi Calvin is a name that fills Kenyans with pride.

In 2003, he etched his name in history by achieving the highest-ever marks in the Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) exams, an impressive score of 482 out of 500. His accomplishment shattered previous records and remains unmatched to this day. Marita’s journey to success serves as a beacon of hope for countless students nationwide, proving that through hard work, dedication, and unwavering determination, anything is within reach. But what has become of him, two decades after his KCPE triumph? Let us delve into his story.

Initially, Nyakundi struggled academically, consistently finding himself among the bottom 10 students in his class. To turn the tide, he enrolled in a transformative program called “Setting Myself for Success,” aiming to enhance his academic performance. Upon completing the program, he soared to the top five students in his class by Standard Six. Marisa outstanding performance in the KCPE exams in 2003 positioned him as the top candidate nationwide, achieving an impressive score of 482 out of 500 marks.

This achievement opened up new opportunities for him, leading him to enrol at Starehe Boys Center to pursue his secondary education. Marita’s academic excellence continued to shine, and in 2010 he was admitted to the University of Nairobi to pursue a Bachelor of Medicine degree. He successfully completed his studies and graduated from the institution in December 2020. During the University of Nairobi’s sixty-fourth graduation ceremony, Marita was officially conferred with his degree, solidifying his status as a skilled medical professional.

This graduation marked a significant milestone, as it had been 17 years since he had taken the KCPE exams. Marita was filled with excitement as he embarked on the next phase of his career. Following his graduation, Marita obtained his license from the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council (KMPDC), granting him the authority to practice medicine in the country. With his full accreditation, Marita became a medical officer at the Nairobi Women’s Hospital in August 2021, ready to contribute his expertise and skills to the medical field.