Embu top student was harvesting tea when CS Machogu released results

When Macharia completed his Kenya Certificate of Primary Education [KCPE] in 2019, he feared that he would not have the opportunity to join secondary school due to the humble background he comes from.

He scored 414 marks and emerged position one in his primary school then but struggled to see him get a sponsorship began as he had secured a chance to join Embu's premier academic school, Moi High School Mbiruri.

His parents have no stable income that could support his secondary education but he kept on knocking on the doors of different organizations to support his education.

Macharia's first attempt was Wings to Fly but unfortunately he missed the chance sending him to the drawing board to seek other alternatives.

He tried as many entities as possible but heavens opened a week to the admission date when Cooperative Bank came to his aid and gave him a full scholarship to study at his school of choice.

The young focused Macharia was then admitted at Moi High School Mbiruri to start his secondary education.

Determined to impress his sponsor, Macharia topped in his first exam.Teachers in the school got interested with the young students and saw his potential in excelling in his last exam.

True to the focus, the young man who has been topping the exam for the last four years emerged position one in the school after scoring A grade of 84 points.

In all the subjects Macharia had an A.

When the exam was being announced Macharia was not even aware that the results would come out on Monday. He was in his father's farm harvesting tea until her mother who they were together in the farm excused herself to go to her house a stone throw away to pick her phone that she had inserted in power to charge.

She found three missed calls from the principal and upon returning the call she was informed about her son's performance.

Tears of joy filled the air as they celebrated the results.

Macharia attributed his performance to fear of  God, hard work and the support from both his former primary school teachers, his parents, his high school teachers and his sponsor Co-operative Bank.

''I have made my sponsor happy and I know the future is bright,'' he said.

He said his ambition is to join the University of Nairobi and pursue a course in medicine.

Moi High School Mbiruri principal Mr Patrick Nderitu described Macharia as a polite, disciplined and a God- fearing young man whose focus has paid.

Macharia's mother Ann Wawira could not hide her joy saying her son has been burning midnight oil while at home studying saying his efforts have paid him.

Hon Yvonne Mati a nominated member of county assembly from Runguru Gandori ward who neighbours Macharia's parents said it was a major achievement in the area calling on different stakeholders to support the student to realize his dreams.

''Macharia needs our support in his next level of education let's embrace him,'' she said.

STORY By BRIAN MUSYOKA