Top KCSE Student Was Mentally Ill

The best student in the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examination at Light Academy in Nairobi, had been diagnosed with mental illness months before sitting for his exam.

Zacharia Ndung'u, 18, battled a disruptive behavioural disorder and later emerged top student in a class of 84 students, after he scored A grade in all subjects, summing up to an impressive aggregate of A plain with 84 points.

Prior to writing his KCSE exams, Ndung'u fell sick in 2014 and was admitted to Nairobi West Hospital for two months, where it was established that he had a mental condition.

He was later transferred to Mathari Mental Hospital where he stayed for four months nursing a disruptive behavioural disorder.

"He was admitted at Mathari for four months and after he was discharged, we hired a psychologist to counsel him. We had to ensure that he recovered fully before doing his KCSE exam. This saw him sit his exams in 2015 and he emerged as the best candidate in the school," Light Academy Headteacher Ismail Kucuk.

The young man, who says he would like to pursue Acturial Science, expressed his gratitude to all those who stood with him in the illness period.

"I thank God for the good performance and for healing me. My hard work, sacrifice and understanding the concepts in my studies yielded fruit," he said.

The victorious Ndung'u not only made his parents and school proud, but also a religious organisation affiliated to St Joseph's Anglican Church in Kabete, that sponsored his education.