A boy from the far-flung village of Long’rukau in Kacheliba, Pokot North Sub-County has defied the odds by posting impressive results in the 2023 KCSE examinations.

Despite hardship conditions of severe drought, insecurity and economic challenges facing the region, Arthur Ruto Lochap scored an A (plain) of 81 points in the just released Kenya Certificate for Secondary Education (KCSE) results.

The first-born in a family of three, 18-year-old joined Kapyanga Boys School after toping his class in KCPE exams at Town View Academy in West Pokot. At the time, Lochap scored 404 marks.

Speaking to TV47 Digital, Lochap says he wants to become a doctor.

“A is just a letter but not a grade but it depends on what you do with it after school. I was an active member of YCS. My father and mother have been my icon and my friends,” Lochap says.

He added: “I’m so happy to have passed my examination with flying colours. I want to make sure I come back home as a doctor and help my people in our rural Kacheliba area.”

Secret behind KCSE success

And what was his secret behind the success?

“God helped me. I thank my principal, teachers and my class teacher and fellow students for encouraging me and giving me hope. Sometimes we used to fail but we struggled and we have all passed in our school.”

Lochap was born in an area where banditry and cattle rustling activities, early marriage and female genital mutilation vices hamper education.

He lauds his parents’ sacrifices in paying his school fees throughout high school.

said through his parents sacrifice it motivated him to work hard.

Happy parents

His mother, Peninah Lochap, is urging Pokot residents to embrace education by taking their children to school.

“They should take all children, boys and girls, to school. Arthur has made me and the whole county proud,” she says.

She also called on Pokot residents to shun retrogressive practices of female genital mutilation and early marriages.

“He has never gotten below an A. He loves church and prayer. Now we are not only warriors but warriors in education. God has answered our prayers,” she said.

His father Anthony Lochap describes his son as a disciplined and God-fearing boy.

“God has made sure all things come through. We want boys and girls in the Pokot community to embrace education,” he says.

He says that he had a challenge paying school fees as he has other children learning.

Story by Andrew Juma, TV47’s correspondent in West Pokot