Editor's Review

The multimedia journalist recalled how the grade was considered unsatisfactory by some of his family members and he was being compelled to re-sit for KCSE.

CNN International Correspondent Larry Madowo has shared some pieces of advice to students who received their Kenya Certificate of Secondary Examinations (KCSE) results on Monday, January 8.

Madowo in a statement stated that KCSE grades do not determine success and one's fate after school.

According to his social media post, he only got a B- (minus) in KCSE but he has managed to hit several career milestones.

The multimedia journalist recalled how the grade was considered unsatisfactory by some of his family members and he was being compelled to re-sit for KCSE.

File image of CNN correspondent Larry Madowo. PHOTO | COURTESY

He, however, turned down the push and decided to pursue journalism, a course which was commensurate to his high school grade.

Years, later, Madowo revealed that his journalism career has helped him travel to 27 countries making 45 trips within a year.

"I “failed” KCSE but I did 45 foreign trips last year - 27 countries. My B- in the national exam was so bad I was getting pushed to repeat Form 4!" Madowo wrote.

Following his success despite getting low grades, Madowo advised the 2023 candidates to avoid being swayed by pressure but focus on their long-term goals.

In the just-released KCSE exams, only 1,216 candidates, representing 0.14 per cent, got straight As and 48,174 candidates got E's.

The number of candidates who attained the minimum university entry qualification (Grade C+ and above) was 201,133 (22.27%) in the year 2023 KCSE Examination compared to 173,345 (19.62%) in the year 2022. 

According to the data, over half a million candidate failed to get the minimum university entry mark forcing them to find alternative ways of continuing with their education