By Staff Writer | Wajir Today | Saturday, 10 January 2026

When the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education results were released, a wave of jubilation swept through Elnur Mixed Secondary School in Wajir. An A plain, had landed.

At the centre of it all was Ismail Ibrahim Ahmed, a soft-spoken student whose journey from a modest home to the very top of the county’s results list is now inspiring an entire region.

For Wajir, where harsh climate, poverty and limited resources often overshadow academic ambition, Ismail’s success feels personal. It is not just a grade. It is hope.

“I stand with deep humility and gratitude to Allah,” Ismail says, his voice steady but emotional. “This achievement is not mine alone.”

The 2025 KCSE top boy in Wajir County speaks like someone who knows the weight of the moment. He is careful with words, respectful and keen to share credit.

He begins with his parents.

“They sacrificed so much for my education,” he says. “Without them, this would not have been possible.”

Long before the headlines, there were late nights under dim lights, textbooks spread across wooden tables, and the constant hum of doubt that visits even the most disciplined students.

“The journey was not easy,” Ismail admits. “There were long nights of study, moments of stress, and times when I doubted myself.”

But each moment of weakness, he says, was met with prayer, hard work and discipline,  a combination he believes carried him through.

Determined boy

At Elnur Mixed Secondary School, teachers watched a determined boy quietly separate himself from the rest.

The school’s senior principal, Mr Gedi Hussein Samow, beams with pride when speaking about Ismail.

“We are delighted as a school,” he says. “To produce the best boy in the county is no small achievement.”

Mr Samow describes Ismail as a student of exceptional discipline and good character, the kind of learner every teacher hopes for.

“This outstanding result is due to his hard work, strong parental support, and the commitment of our teachers,” he explains. “We also provided a conducive learning environment.”

Elnur’s performance, he adds, has been steadily improving over the years. Ismail’s success, however, feels like a defining moment.

“It motivates our teachers,” the principal says. “It pushes us to continue nurturing talent and maintaining high standards.”

Proud son

Back at home, the celebrations were emotional.

Ismail’s brother, Ahmed Ibrahim Ahmed, struggles to contain his pride as he speaks.

“We are very happy,” he says. “Very proud.”

In Wajir, an A plain is rare  and deeply symbolic.

“Scoring an A plain in this region is not a walk in the park. We guided him, we supported him, and he proved to us that he could do it.” He says

In a region where many bright students fall through the cracks for lack of fees or guidance, such interventions can mean everything.

For Ismail, they meant staying in school and dreaming bigger. His dream is clear, and deeply personal.

“I want to pursue a degree in medicine,” he says. “I want to become a doctor.”

But this is not about prestige or titles.

“I want to serve my community,” Ismail adds. “Especially in the northern region of Kenya, where access to healthcare is limited.”

In Wajir, stories of patients travelling hundreds of kilometres for treatment are common. Clinics are understaffed. Doctors are few.

Ismail has seen it all. That memory, he explains, fuels his ambition.