Education is often considered the key to unlocking a better future, and for one student from the Lugari Constituency in Kakamega County, this belief was realized in the most remarkable way. Dianah Nanjalah, a student from the relatively unknown Manyonyi Girls Secondary School, has made history by breaking the long-standing “A (plain)” jinx in the constituency. Her incredible achievement in the 2025 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examinations marks a turning point for education in the region, inspiring students and educators alike.
Breaking Barriers: Dianah Nanjalah’s Exceptional KCSE Performance
Dianah Nanjalah, a bright and determined student, achieved a mean grade of A (plain), scoring 83 points in the just-released KCSE results. Her exceptional academic performance has made her the best student in the constituency, propelling her into the spotlight. This achievement is particularly significant as it marks the first time in years that Lugari Constituency has produced a student with an A (plain) grade. Her success ends a long-standing dry spell in the region, where students had not managed to secure top grades in the KCSE exams.
Dianah’s impressive performance included straight As in Mathematics, Biology, Kiswahili, and Business Studies, while she scored A (minus) in Chemistry, Physics, and Geography. She also achieved a B+ in English, a remarkable feat for a student who hails from a relatively small and less-recognized school.
In an interview following the results release, Dianah attributed her academic success to a combination of hard work, determination, and the unwavering support of her teachers and parents. She emphasized how the collaborative effort between the school, her family, and the community had played a critical role in helping her reach this milestone. Dianah’s story is a testament to the power of dedication and a supportive environment in overcoming the odds.
Celebrating the Achievement: A Community Effort
The celebration of Dianah’s achievement was shared by the entire Manyonyi Girls Secondary School community, with the school’s staff, students, and local residents coming together to honor her success. The presence of Lugari Member of Parliament, Nabii Nabwera, at the celebration underscored the importance of this achievement for the constituency. Nabwera lauded the efforts of the parents, teachers, students, and all education stakeholders for their commitment to improving the academic standards in the region.
In his speech, MP Nabwera highlighted the significant progress made in Lugari’s education sector over the past few years. When he first assumed office in 2022, the constituency had recorded zero A (plain) grades and only a handful of A (minus) scores. However, since then, there has been a steady improvement in the performance of students, with the current KCSE results marking a major milestone. Nabwera praised the concerted effort from all parties involved, including the local government, which has worked tirelessly to invest in the education sector. He expressed his pride in seeing the constituency break free from the academic limitations of the past.
“Today, I stand here as a Member of Parliament filled with immense pride because we have finally managed to break the A (plain) curse. In the previous years, our students could not even dream of scoring such high grades. But now, we have shown that with dedication, support, and hard work, anything is possible,” Nabwera said. He pledged to continue investing more resources into education in the region, ensuring that future generations have even more opportunities for success.
Matunda Salvation Army Secondary School Shines: Another Success Story in Likuyani Constituency
The educational advancements in the region were not limited to Lugari alone. In the neighboring Likuyani Constituency, another remarkable achievement in the 2025 KCSE exams has caught the attention of the public. Matunda Salvation Army Secondary School, a day school in Likuyani, produced four students who scored A (plain), with the highest mean score of 83 points.
The school, which had not previously seen such a high concentration of top performers, celebrated its best-ever results since its inception. Mary Luvanda, the school’s principal, proudly shared that the institution had achieved 28 A (minus) grades and 25 B+ grades, surpassing their mean target of 7.2 by reaching a mean score of 7.62. This marked a significant improvement for the school and demonstrated the effectiveness of their teaching methods and dedicated efforts.
In a statement, Principal Luvanda expressed her pride in the students’ achievements, noting that 73% of the school’s 390 students had been accepted into universities. This translates to 285 students gaining direct admission, a notable achievement for a school that serves students from vulnerable backgrounds. The school had set an ambitious target for the year, and the results were a testament to the commitment of the staff, students, and the Matunda community.
Resilience and Hard Work: The Key to Success
One of the most powerful aspects of Matunda Salvation Army Secondary School’s success was the resilience demonstrated by both the students and the teachers. Principal Luvanda spoke emotionally about the challenges the school had faced, particularly the difficult conditions many students endured.
“We saw teachers coming to school as early as 6 am and leaving as late as 9 pm, despite the school being a day school. Our students walked through the mud and endured heavy rains to reach the school, showing an incredible level of resilience,” she said.
Luvanda praised the community’s support, including the Board of Management, the Parents Association, and the parents themselves, who worked hand in hand to create an environment that fostered success. She also acknowledged the tireless efforts of the school’s teachers, who went above and beyond to ensure that every student had the opportunity to succeed, despite the many challenges they faced.
“We always told the students that education would allow them to ‘sit and dine with the kings,’” Luvanda shared, emphasizing the value of education in lifting families out of poverty and creating a brighter future. The success of Matunda Salvation Army Secondary School, alongside Dianah Nanjalah’s achievement in Lugari, serves as a reminder that with determination, community support, and hard work, extraordinary results can be achieved, even in the most challenging circumstances.
A New Era of Academic Excellence in Western Kenya
The remarkable achievements in Lugari and Likuyani constituencies are clear indicators of the educational transformation happening in Western Kenya. Students from these areas have proven that with dedication and the right support systems in place, academic excellence is achievable, regardless of the challenges they face.
Dianah Nanjalah’s historic performance has not only brought pride to her school and community but has also inspired other students across the region to strive for greatness. The significant improvements in the region’s education system, as highlighted by MP Nabii Nabwera, show that investment in education yields positive results.
As the country continues to invest in its education system and empower its students, the future looks brighter for young learners in the Lugari and Likuyani constituencies. These inspiring stories remind us all that with hard work, resilience, and community support, success is within reach for every student.
