Fraternal twins Maureen Kemunto Karina and Michelle Mochache Karina both scored straight A's in the 2025 KCSE examinations, marking a remarkable achievement for the sisters from different schools.
Maureen, who attends Alliance Girls High School, scored the maximum 84 points with an A in all subjects. Her twin sister, Michelle from Loreto Limuru, wasn't far behind with 83 points. The close finish between them showed just how competitive the two were throughout their studies.
The twins went to the same primary school, Mount Olives Adventist School in Kajiado County, where Maureen scored 417 marks in her KCPE while Michelle got 412 marks, showing that their academic rivalry started early.
According to them, despite ending up in different secondary schools, the sisters helped each other along the way. Additionally, they had completely different study habits, though. Maureen was a morning person who woke up early to study, while Michelle preferred burning the midnight oil.
During holidays, they would sit together during the day to do assignments and compare notes on what their different schools were teaching them.
However, each sister had their own weaknesses. Maureen struggled with English and got help from Michelle and her Loreto teachers. Michelle, on the other hand, looked up to her sister for mathematics, where Maureen consistently topped her class.
In an interview with Citizen TV on Friday, both girls attributed their success to prayers, hard work, and determination. Michelle talked about the three D's that kept her going: discipline from her school, determination from within, and dedication to everything she did.
Maureen credited their mother for teaching them to put God first and their father for backing up that spiritual foundation.
The twins were the last born in their family, and they said their older siblings, cousins and aunts kept encouraging them and reminding them of the opportunities ahead. Michelle mentioned that being a welfare and dispensary captain in her fourth year while preparing for KCSE was tough, but knowing people were watching made her push harder.
Their university plans were, however, different. Maureen wants to study either aviation or architecture, saying she wants to join the small group of female pilots in Kenya. Michelle hopes to pursue medicine. Both are eyeing the University of Nairobi or any international university that might offer them scholarships.
The sisters had advice for students coming after them. Maureen advised parents and teachers to give every child a chance because everyone has their own potential. Michelle told girls not to let gender hold them back, insisting that what others have achieved, they can achieve too.
When asked to sum up their journey, Michelle said, "If you feel like you're down, just know you're up," while Maureen kept it simple: "Keep on keeping on and you will do it."
