Meru county: Day secondary schools in Igembe North Constituency, Meru County, have recorded an impressive performance in the 2025 KCSE examinations released recently, outshining long-established academic giants. Mariri Day Secondary School recorded notable gains, with 173 candidates attaining the recommended university entry grade, up from 165 students in the previous year.
According to Kenya News Agency, Thuranira Isaiah Ithula, the deputy principal in charge of administration at Mariri Day Secondary School, attributed the success to sustained stakeholder support. The school had a total candidature of 440 students, with those who did not attain the university grade qualifying to join TVET institutions, medical colleges, and training colleges. Ithula expressed gratitude towards former principal Beatrice Mutharimi, the Board of Management, and the office of area MP Julius Taitumu for their support.
The school administration expressed optimism about sending over 200 learners to university in the 2026 exams. Ithula noted that Mariri Day Secondary School receives the largest share of bursaries due to its high student population, which has helped reduce absenteeism and maximise learning time. Additionally, a Catholic sisters’ group, Wirigiro, sponsored 20 needy students who were unable to pay school fees.
William Ntoncene, a member of the School Board of Management, highlighted the consistent performance of Mariri Day Secondary School over the past decade, asserting that the future of education lies in day secondary schools. At Mwerongundu Day Secondary School, the Deputy Principal, Sofia Mutuma, reported a significant improvement, with the school surpassing its performance target by scoring a mean score of 7.079, up from the target of 6.3.
Elsewhere, Linjoka Day Secondary School recorded 26 university qualifiers, St. Mary’s Ntanki Day Secondary School improved from 164 qualifiers in 2024 to 272 in 2025, and Mwerongundu Day Secondary School rose from 54 university qualifiers in 2024 to 176 in the 2025 KCSE.
Igembe North MP Julius Taitumu commended principals, teachers, and parents for the improved academic outcomes across the constituency. He noted that the number of university-qualified students has steadily increased over the three years of his leadership, attributing the progress to close collaboration among education stakeholders.
The MP emphasised the importance of focusing on learners’ grades rather than the type of school attended, citing strong performances in day schools across the constituency. He also revealed ongoing investments in science infrastructure, particularly in Ndoleli Sub-county, where the fifth laboratory is currently under construction.
The 2025 KCSE results have firmly positioned day secondary schools in Igembe North as strong academic contenders, challenging long-held perceptions and redefining success in public day education.
