The journey towards KCSE is never an ordinary academic undertaking. It is a journey that demands discipline, sacrifice, resilience, determination, consistency and collective responsibility. Behind every candidate sitting for these examinations is a story of parental sacrifice, teacher commitment, institutional investment, mentorship, prayer and personal determination.

I am particularly grateful to the school administrators, principals, teachers, parents, chaplains, support staff and other education stakeholders who opened their doors and provided platforms for mentorship, academic motivation, examination preparedness, personal development and career guidance.

Through our interactions, I have had the privilege of engaging thousands of learners across different counties. We have shared experiences, set targets, challenged limitations, addressed weaknesses and encouraged candidates to believe in their abilities.

My message to the candidates is simple: This is your moment to translate preparation into performance.

Do not allow anxiety to overshadow your confidence. Do not allow one difficult paper to determine your attitude towards the remaining examinations. Manage your time, read instructions carefully, remain disciplined and give every examination your best effort.

Remember that KCSE is an important academic milestone, but it is not the final definition of your destiny. Your character, discipline, resilience, integrity and willingness to learn will continue shaping your future long after the examinations.

To the teachers and school administrators, thank you for the sacrifices you have made. Your work extends far beyond classroom instruction. You have nurtured, corrected, encouraged, counselled and prepared these young people for the next chapter of their lives.

To parents and guardians, thank you for standing with your children. Your prayers, encouragement, financial sacrifices and emotional support have contributed immensely to this journey.

As we await the release of the KCSE results in early January 2027, my prayer is that we shall celebrate remarkable improvement, positive deviation, value addition and the fulfilment of institutional targets.

May the results reflect the commitment invested in these candidates. May schools record improved mean scores, increased university transition, better subject performance and individual academic breakthroughs.

I look forward to celebrating with every institution and family that made this journey possible.

OUR 2026 MENTORSHIP PARTNERSHIP: INSTITUTIONS AND FAMILIES

I proudly recognise the following schools, institutions and families that provided opportunities for mentorship and engagement with their 2026 candidates.

1. BUSIA COUNTY

• - Bwaliro Girls
• - Sikinga High School
• - Fr. Simon Sibembe
• - St. Clare's Butula Girls
• - Simuli ACK Youths
• - Fr. Okodoi
• - St. Peter's Busibi Girls
• - St. Thomas Aquinas Madende
• - Mabunge AC
• - St. Anne's Bunyala Girls
• - Sigalame Boys

2. BUNGOMA COUNTY

• - Kimugui Boys
• - Moi Girls Kamusinga
• - St. Martin's Mwibale
• - St. Theresa's Girls Kimilili
• - Khasoko Boys National
• - Family Therapy – Naitiri

3. KAKAMEGA COUNTY

• - Saisi Girls
• - Shidodo Secondary School
• - Bishop Sulumeti Girls Lugari
• - Mukumu Girls
• - St. Maurice Mwira
• - Butere Boys
• - St. Gabriel Isongo
• - Munyuki Secondary School
• - Eshikomere Girls
• - Bishop Sulumeti Kakamega
• - Musingu High School
• - Mwamba Secondary School
• - Family Therapy – Kakamega
• - Elite Bumamu
• - St. Agnes Shibuye
• - St. Agnes Mwira Girls

4. VIHIGA COUNTY

• - Friends School Kaimosi Girls
• - St. Clare's Maragoli Girls
• - Igunga Girls
• - Keveye Girls
• - Chavavo High School
• - Hobunaka Boys
• - Bukulunya Secondary School
• - Kitagwa Secondary School

5. KWALE COUNTY

• - Kwale Girls
• - Kichakasimba Girls
• - Lukore School
• - Tumaini School
• - Shimbahills School
• - Stephen Kanja School
• - Mwaluphanga School
• - Kingwede Girls
• - Waa Boys
• - Mwanambeyu Girls
• - Samburu Boys
• - Mazeras Boys Secondary
• - Mazeras Girls Secondary
• - Mpirani Secondary School
• - Lungalunga Boys
• - Taru Boys
• - Taru Girls
• - Waa Girls

6. NAIROBI COUNTY

• - Makongeni Secondary School
• - Hospital Hill
• - Kariobangi North Girls High School

7. TRANS NZOIA COUNTY

• - St. Joseph's Boys Kitale
• - St. John's Sirende
• - Kitale Girls School
• - Individual Therapy – Trans Nzoia

8. MURANG'A COUNTY

• - Chomo Boys
• - Gituru Boys

9. LAMU COUNTY

• - Mpeketoni Girls
• - Mpeketoni Boys National

10. KILIFI COUNTY

• - Ribe Boys National
• - Bandari Secondary School
• - St. Teresa's High School
• - St. John's Girls Kaloleni

11. KERICHO COUNTY

• - Kericho High School
• - Soliat Boys
• - Iraa Girls

12. BOMET COUNTY

• - Tenwek Boys National

13. NAKURU COUNTY

• - Nakuru High School
• - Vanessa Grant Girls

14. KISUMU COUNTY

• - Nyakach Girls

15. MOMBASA COUNTY

• - Maweni Secondary School
• - Mishi Mboko Secondary School
• - Shikaadabu High School
• - Kashani Secondary School
• - Concordia Secondary School

16. THARAKA-NITHI COUNTY

• - Chogoria Boys

17. ELGEYO-MARAKWET COUNTY

• - Sing'ore Girls

18. TURKANA COUNTY

• - Our Lady's Girls Kakuma

19. TAITA-TAVETA COUNTY

• - Dr. Aggrey National School

20. JKF ELIMU SCHOLARSHIP MENTORSHIP ENGAGEMENTS

• - JKF Elimu Scholarship Seminar – Kakamega
• - JKF Elimu Scholarship Seminar – Bungoma

MY FINAL MESSAGE

To every candidate whose journey I have been privileged to influence: Go into that examination room with confidence. Remember the targets we set, the lessons we shared, the sacrifices made and the dreams we nurtured.

Do not compete with anybody's examination paper. Compete with your own potential. Give every subject the attention it deserves. Remain calm, focused and disciplined.

To the institutions that invited me, thank you for believing in mentorship as an important ingredient in academic and personal transformation.

I may not have the opportunity to be physically present in every school during these examination weeks, but my goodwill, prayers and belief in your candidates remain unwavering.

May God guide every candidate, grant them wisdom and reward their hard work.

May our schools record excellent results. May our teachers celebrate the fruits of their labour. May our parents rejoice in the progress of their children.

And may the 2026 KCSE results write another beautiful chapter in the academic history of our institutions.

All the best to the 2026 KCSE candidates!

MWALIMU MALATA BENSON

Teacher | Writer | Publisher | Scholar | Educational Consultant | Mentor | Motivational Speaker