Nyanza academic giants post stellar KCSE comeback

By Newsflash Team

Nyanza’s leading schools, long regarded as pillars of the region’s academic dominance, staged a strong comeback with impressive performances, triggering celebrations and renewed confidence across the region following the release of the 2025 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) results.

Academic heavyweights including Maranda High School, Asumbi Girls, Mbita High School, Riokindo Secondary School, Ng’iya Girls, Maseno School, Kisumu Girls High School and Kisumu Boys High School were among the institutions that posted strong results, reinforcing Nyanza’s reputation as an education powerhouse.

Maranda, Asumbi lead the way

Maranda High School delivered an outstanding performance, further entrenching its status among the country’s top-performing schools. According to provisional results released on Friday, the school attained a mean score of 10.2 from a candidature of 566 students.

The results reflected consistent excellence across grades, with 101 candidates scoring A (plain), 184 attaining A-, and 124 securing B grades. Maranda also posted an impressive university transition rate of 98.24 per cent. Compared to the previous year, the school recorded a positive deviation of +0.44385, signalling sustained academic improvement.

Chief Principal Edwin Namachanja attributed the strong showing to disciplined students, committed teachers, supportive parents and a deeply entrenched culture of academic excellence.
“This performance is a product of teamwork, consistency and a shared vision to excel,” he said.

Asumbi Girls High School also recorded an impressive outcome, posting a mean score of 9.78. Nine students scored straight As, while 178 attained A- grades. In addition, 396 candidates posted B grades.

Principal Linet Sati credited the success to hard work, supportive parents and dedicated teachers.

Kisumu and Maseno schools shine

At Kisumu Boys High School, Principal Austin Muma said the school had confirmed strong outcomes despite delays in accessing full results from the Kenya National Examinations Council portal.
“So far, we have counted 10 plain As, with two candidates scoring 84 points, and one student attaining straight As in all subjects,” he said, adding that early analysis suggested the mean score would rise above eight.

Maseno School recorded its strongest performance in more than a decade. Dean of Studies Patrick Mboya said the school registered 89 plain As, 241 A-, 176 B+, 152 B and 79 B- grades. Other results included 40 C+, 22 C and eight C-.

The performance gave Maseno an impressive mean score of 9.8335, with 96.3 per cent of candidates attaining C+ and above, qualifying for university admission. Notably, 24 of the 89 students who scored plain A attained the maximum 84 points — a feat the school has not achieved in the past 10 years.
“This is our best performance since 2015,” Mr Mboya said.

Strong gains across Nyanza and Gusii regions

In Migori County, Rapogi High School posted an improved mean score of 9.126, up from 8.58 last year. Principal Erastus Nyagwa said the school recorded 14 straight As, 77 A-, 94 B+, 139 B, 153 B-, 85 C+ and 40 C grades. He noted a reduction in lower grades, attributing the upward trajectory to discipline and teamwork.

At Kisumu Girls High School, Chief Principal Doreen Juma said results were still being compiled, but early indicators pointed to improved performance.
“So far, we have confirmed 55 As, including plain As and A-, already surpassing last year’s results,” she said.

Ng’iya Girls High School also posted strong early results, with Rebecca Ngoya emerging among the top candidates after scoring a plain A, as compilation continued.

In the Gusii region, Riokindo Secondary School topped Kisii County with an improved mean score of 9.125, up from 9.09 in 2024. Principal Gerald Orina said the school recorded one straight A and 74 A grades from a candidature of 761.

Nyabururu Girls presented 505 candidates, with 462 attaining direct university entry. Nine students scored straight As, while 45 attained A-, according to Principal Joyce Orioki.

A total of 215 out of 231 candidates at Rigena PAG Secondary School qualified for university, while Kiage Tumaini, a private institution, achieved a 100 per cent university transition rate.

In Nyamira County, Sironga Girls regained its former glory, with 1,056 of the 1,100 candidates attaining university entry grades. The school posted a mean score of 8.5, up from 8.3 last year. Principal Jane Nyanumba attributed the improvement to enhanced teamwork and coordinated learning.

Mbita High School also celebrated improved results after 483 of its 525 candidates qualified for university. The school recorded 37 plain As and 113 A- grades, posting a mean score of 9.2648.

Principal Kennedy Ojijo credited early syllabus completion and close cooperation among teachers, students and the board for the success.

Oriwo Boys High School also posted strong results, with 592 students qualifying for direct university entry and a mean score of 9.2. Principal Tom Amadi attributed the performance to disciplined learners and early syllabus coverage.