The Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) 2015 results were released by the cabinet secretary of education on 3rd March 2016.
The county of Kakamega had 24,194 candidates out of whom 48 scored A, 364 scored A- and 8142 scored C+ and above and therefore eligible to pursue University education representing 33.65% of the total candidates. 16,032 candidates scored C plain and below representing 66.34% of the total candidates.
The county of Bungoma had a total of 21,605 candidates out of whom 59 scored A plain, 333 scored A-, and 6437 scored C+ and above and therefore eligible to pursue University education representing 29.79 of the total candidates. 15,168 candidates scored C plain and below representing 70.21% of those who sat for the exam in the county.
The county of Busia had 8831 candidates out of whom only 4 scored A plain, 88 scored A- and 3407 scored C+ and above and therefore eligible to pursue university education representing 38.58% of the total candidates. 5424 candidates scored C plain and below representing 61.42% of those who did the 2015 exam.
The county of Vihiga had a total of 11,483 candidates out of whom 28 scored A plain, 374 scored A- and 4294 attained C+ and above and eligible to pursue University education representing 37.39% of the total candidates. 7189 candidates scored C plain and below representing 62.61% of those who did the exam.
Trans Nzoia county had a total of 10,952 candidates out of whom 96 scored A plain, 417 scored A- and 3963 attained C+ and above and therefore eligible to pursue University education representing 36.18% of the total candidates. 6988 candidates scored C plain and below representing 63.82% of the total candidates who did the exam.
The county of West Pokot had a total of 4276 candidates out of whom 14 scored A plain, 275 scored A- and 2258 scored C+ and above and therefore eligible to pursue University education representing 52.81% of the total candidates. 2,018 candidates attained C plain and below representing 47.19% of those who sat for the KCSE in 2015 in the county.
The jury is out as to how the counties are shaping their future as it’s in education that one can detect the seed of socio-economic transformation of the people, the next generation.
West Pokot County was the only county that had 50% of the total candidates scoring a C+ and above. Bungoma County continues to lead from the rear with only 29.79% of its total candidates qualifying for University with a C+ and above. Kakamega County with 33.65% candidates qualifying for University sits just ahead of Bungoma from the rear. Busia county with 38.58% is second to West Pokot whereas Vihiga at 37.39% is third and Trans Nzoia county with 36.18% is fourth.
The truth is that any County delivering less than 50% of its candidates as eligible to enter University is grossly under performing in its educational goals and short changing its next generation’s chances of living a better quality and standard of life than the present generation.
The elected leaders of Kakamega, Busia, Bungoma, Vihiga and Trans Nzoia are thoroughly failing those who elected them by being unable to provide visionary leadership that can leverage education, the only tool available for socio-economic transformation to change the conditions of their electorate.
It is the cardinal responsibility of the Senators, Governors, Members of the National Assembly and Members of the County Assemblies to compel their respective national government county managers of education to deliver excellent results, value for money for parent’s investments in their children for four years in secondary schools.
The people of the counties of the former western province and North Rift must demonstrate their hunger for a better future by being able to attain over 60% of their KCSE candidates qualifying to enter University if it is to be said that truly the regions are on their path to socio- economic transformation and to reap the dividends of Vision 2030 of a people ready to be in a newly industrializing and middle income economy by 2030.
