NAIROBI, Kenya- Fraternal twins Maureen Kemunto Karina and Michelle Mochache Karina have emerged among the top performers in the 2025 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examinations after both scoring straight As—an extraordinary feat achieved from two different schools.
Maureen, a student at Alliance Girls High School, attained the maximum 84 points, scoring an A in all subjects.
Her twin sister Michelle, who studies at Loreto Limuru, followed closely with 83 points, underscoring the intense but friendly academic rivalry that has defined their journey since childhood.
The sisters attended the same primary school, Mount Olives Adventist School in Kajiado County, where their competitive streak first became evident.
In the Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE), Maureen scored 417 marks, while Michelle posted 412 marks.
Despite joining different secondary schools, the twins say they remained each other’s biggest academic support system.
During school holidays, they would study together, compare notes, and discuss differences in teaching approaches between Alliance Girls and Loreto Limuru.
Interestingly, the sisters had contrasting study habits.
Maureen preferred early morning study sessions, while Michelle was more productive late at night.
They also leaned on each other to overcome subject-specific challenges. Maureen admitted she struggled with English, often seeking help from Michelle and her teachers at Loreto.
Michelle, on the other hand, relied on Maureen for mathematics, a subject where Maureen consistently topped her class.
Faith, family, and focus
Speaking in an interview with Citizen TV on Friday, the twins attributed their success to prayer, discipline, and determination.
Michelle spoke of what she called the “three Ds” that guided her KCSE journey:
- Discipline from her school environment
- Determination from within
- Dedication to everything she committed to
Maureen credited their parents for laying a strong foundation, saying their mother taught them to always put God first, while their father reinforced those values with constant support.
As the last-borns in their family, the twins said encouragement from older siblings, cousins, and aunts played a huge role in keeping them motivated.
Michelle also noted that balancing academics with leadership was demanding, as she served as a welfare and dispensary captain in her final year. However, the responsibility pushed her to work even harder.
Different dreams, same ambition
While they share academic excellence, the twins have different career ambitions.
Maureen hopes to pursue aviation or architecture, saying she wants to be among the few female pilots in Kenya. Michelle plans to study medicine.
Both are eyeing admission to the University of Nairobi or an international university through scholarship opportunities.
Message to future candidates
The sisters encouraged students preparing for KCSE to believe in their potential.
Maureen urged parents and teachers to give every learner a chance, noting that talent and ability differ from one child to another. Michelle encouraged girls not to let gender limit their ambitions.
“If others have done it, you can do it too,” she said.
Summing up their journey, Michelle reflected, “If you feel like you’re down, just know you’re up,” while Maureen offered a simple but powerful message: “Keep on keeping on, and you will do it.”
