January 10, 2026 – Kisii, Kenya In a remarkable display of academic excellence, Riokindo Boys High School has emerged as the leading institution in the Gusii region for the 2025 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examinations.
With an impressive mean score of 9.1, the school has set a new benchmark for educational achievement in Kisii and Nyamira counties, outpacing regional competitors and drawing widespread celebrations from students, parents, and educators alike.
The results, officially released by Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba on January 9, 2026, highlight Riokindo’s consistent focus on holistic student development.
According to data from the school, the grade distribution among its candidates paints a picture of strong performance across the board:A plain: 1
A-: 74
B+: 188
B plain: 300
B-: 161
C+: 32
C plain: 4
C-: 1
D+: 0
D plain: 0
D-: 0
This distribution reflects a high concentration of top grades, with the majority of students scoring B plain and above, underscoring the school’s effective teaching strategies and student motivation programs.
Chief Principal Gerald Orina attributed the success to dedicated staff, parental involvement, and extracurricular support, noting that the school’s elevation to national status in recent years has further boosted resources and morale.
While Riokindo dominates the Gusii landscape, the national stage saw fierce competition among traditional powerhouses. Although the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) has discontinued official school rankings to promote equity, provisional compilations from media and education reports place the following as the top 20 performers based on mean scores:Moi High School Kabarak – Mean: 10.6
Alliance High School – Mean: 10.47
Maranda High School – Mean: 10.2
Alliance Girls High School – Mean: 10.1
Kapsabet High School – Mean: 10.0
Starehe Boys’ Centre – Mean: 9.98
Meru School – Mean: 9.97
Maryhill Girls High School – Mean: 9.90
Maseno School – Mean: 9.83
Mang’u High School – Mean: 9.84
Asumbi Girls High School – Mean: 9.78
Nyabongo Boys Gesima – Mean: 9.79
Pangani Girls High School – Mean: 9.72
Kitui School – Mean: 9.72
St. Francis Rang’ala Girls – Mean: 9.66
Nanyuki School – Mean: 9.68
St. Brigid’s Girls Kiminini – Mean: 9.61
Nairobi School – Mean: 9.54
Lenana School – Mean: 9.50
Anestar Boys High School – Mean: 9.48
These national leaders, predominantly national schools, produced the bulk of the 1,932 straight A plain grades recorded this year, a notable increase from 1,693 in 2024.
Analysis of General Performance in 2025 KCSE
The 2025 KCSE results mark a positive trajectory for Kenya’s secondary education system, with 993,226 candidates sitting the exams,a slight rise from previous years.
Key highlights include improved overall quality, as evidenced by 270,715 students (about 27.3%) achieving the minimum university entry grade of C+ and above, up from 26.8% in 2024.
This uptick suggests enhanced access to higher education opportunities amid ongoing reforms.Nationally, there was a 14% increase in straight A plains, signaling better preparation and possibly the impact of post-COVID recovery initiatives.
Boys slightly outperformed girls in top grades, but female-led schools like Alliance Girls and Maryhill demonstrated strong parity.
Regional disparities persist, with Rift Valley and Central provinces dominating the top ranks, while areas like Gusii show promising growth through schools like Riokindo.
Challenges remain, including a small but persistent number of lower grades (e.g., D and below), which experts attribute to socioeconomic factors, teacher shortages in remote areas, and exam anxiety.
Education stakeholders are calling for increased investment in STEM subjects and mental health support to sustain this momentum.
We bring you the latest news from the larger Gusii region and beyond.
