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| Kipkenyo Ward MCA David Letting |
Kipkenyo Ward MCA David Letting, popularly known as Kokwas, has defied the odds by sitting for the 2024 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examinations at the age of 64. MCA David Letting alias Kokwas opens up on his challenges and expectations of the 2024 KCSE examinations. The MCA gained public attention after he spoke broken English during an event that left people talking. In an exclusive interview with TUKO.co.ke, Kokwas shared that while most of the papers were challenging, he managed to tackle some questions in geography and mathematics.
There was nothing easy about it; the exams were tough, but I didn’t cheat. Even if the results are not great, I know I won’t score an ‘E.’ I’m confident I’ll get a ‘D-.’ For instance, there was a question in geography that asked what one would do when attacked by wild animals. I responded by explaining that I would construct an electric fence and even mentioned areas already affected by such incidents.
As a businessman, I’m sure I got at least two questions correct in mathematics. I also gave my best effort in writing the English composition and Kiswahili Insha, though I may have made some spelling mistakes,” said the hopeful MCA. When did Kokwas go back to school? Having last attended school in 1970 at the Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE) level, Kokwas made the bold decision to return to school decades later.
In 2020, he enrolled for the Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) and scored 150 out of 500 marks. Determined to continue his education, he enrolled at Kwa DC Adult School in the county as a KCSE candidate in 2023, where at least 10 residents from his ward sat for the exams. Interestingly, Kokwas sat the exams alongside his second-lastborn daughter, who scored over 300 marks in the 2020 KCPE and is now a student at Kapsowar Girls High School.
How did Kokwas overcome challenges during exams? Kokwas narrated the hurdles he faced during the exams, including health-related issues that required special accommodations. After raising his concerns, he was permitted to wear his jacket to protect himself from the cold. He also noted incidents where some candidates were caught allegedly cheating using mobile phones but emphasised that he adhered to the rules, refusing to cheat despite the difficulty of the exams.
Kokwas explained that he did not intend to apply for jobs due to his age. Instead, he pursued the certificate as a personal challenge to test his natural ability to answer questions without formal schooling. “There was no need for me to cheat. My answers came entirely from my thinking. I’m comfortable being an MCA. Why would I cheat when I’m not looking for a job? I just wanted the certificate to assess the intelligence God gave me. Now I know that whatever results I get will be genuine, even though I didn’t attend formal classes,” he explained. Who supported Kokwas during examination period?
Kokwas attributed his effort to divine guidance, saying he relied on God for knowledge and wisdom rather than attending classes. “There is a God in heaven who gives wisdom. I didn’t want to overhaul my mind. I wanted to approach it naturally. God is wise. Others study to pass, but for me, if I score a ‘D-,’ I’ll have done better than many who never missed a class from ECDE to now,” said Kokwas. Ahead of the exams, Kokwas received encouragement from various figures, including Uasin Gishu governor Jonathan Bii, the County Assembly Speaker, clergy members, and the locals.
What does Kokwas anticipate in future? While Kokwas has not revealed any political ambitions tied to the certificate, he emphasised that his motivation was purely personal. He plans to celebrate his achievement regardless of the results, whether it is an “E” or the much-hoped-for “D-.” “I must celebrate with many people, even if I score an ‘E.’ As long as I have a certificate, it’s worth celebrating. I’ll even spend generously because staying focused for an entire month was no small feat,” he said. Meanwhile, Kokwas is a proud father of children who have excelled academically and professionally, with some securing prestigious positions, including overseas jobs.
by Nancy Odindo
