Nyambaria High School has failed to register a single grade A in the 2025 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examinations, marking a rare setback for the Nyamira County-based national school.
The results, released this week by Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba, show that although the school posted several A- and B+ grades, none of its candidates attained the coveted plain A.
Nyambaria, traditionally ranked among Kenya’s top-performing boys’ schools, has for years been associated with stellar academic excellence and consistent production of top scorers nationally.
School administrators acknowledged the outcome with mixed feelings, terming the results “fair but below expectations,” given the institution’s long-standing reputation and heavy investment in academic preparation.
According to preliminary analysis, most candidates scored within the B to B+ range, with a noticeable dip at the very top, raising concerns about competitive edge at the highest performance level.
Education stakeholders in Nyamira County have attributed the outcome to multiple factors, including curriculum transition challenges, exam pressure, and stiff national competition witnessed in the 2025 KCSE cycle.
Some parents expressed disappointment, noting that Nyambaria has historically set the benchmark for academic excellence in the Gusii region and beyond, often competing with Kenya’s elite national schools.
Teachers, however, defended the performance, arguing that the overall mean score remained strong and that success should not be measured solely by the number of grade As.
Education experts say the results reflect a broader national trend where fewer schools registered straight As, despite improved overall performance across the country.
As Nyambaria High School reviews its strategies, focus is expected to shift toward strengthening top-tier performance while maintaining consistency, as the institution seeks to reclaim its traditional dominance in future KCSE examinations.
