Girls who escaped FGM shine in KCSE exams

A group of over 50 girls who escaped Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and early marriages are among the top performers in the recently released 2025 KCSE results.

The girls fled from Kerio Valley and Baringo areas and sought refuge at the home of the late Edward Limo, a well-known philanthropist and evangelist.

They were enrolled at the Edward Limo Girls Educational Centre (TELEC) on partial education scholarships, which enabled them to continue learning.

They are among 185 candidates who registered for KCSE 2025 at the centre and are celebrating after achieving top grades.

Most of them will now join university after scoring between B+ and C+.

The late Limo founded the center to support girls’ education, and it is currently operated by his son-in-law, former Ambassador Kipyego Cheluget, and his wife, Limo.

“We are celebrating these results by the girls whose lives have been transformed after making the brave decision to leave their homes to avoid FGM and early marriages,” said Cheluget, a director at the center.

“With support from various partners, we welcomed the girls, secured their scholarships, and are now delighted with their performance,” he added.

Cheluget said the girls had been passionate and committed to excelling in education and praised them for embracing learning after their experiences.

“We celebrate these girls because they have made our school proud and have ensured that their lives will be transformed,” Cheluget said.

Cheluget said the performance of these students not only changes their lives but also elevates the entire school.

The school set a high standard in the 2025 results, largely due to the determination of students from vulnerable backgrounds, achieving a mean score of 8.0 with 98 per cent qualifying for university.

School Principal Emmanuel Bwalei led other students in celebrating the results, saying the success was a result of hard work and discipline.

In the results, 24 students scored B, 148 B-, and 10 C+.

“Since their admission, the girls have been hardworking and disciplined,” Bwalei said.

He added that the students underwent holistic education, including specific programs designed to help them overcome their past experiences.

“We thank God that many of them remained focused and committed to achieving the best results for a brighter future,” said Bwalei.

He said the school remains committed to the objectives of its founders and, with the country transitioning to the CBE system, has adequate facilities to continue offering quality learning.

“We are ready to receive our Grade 10 learners next week and continue providing quality education to all the girls we admit,” said Bwalei.