By SHABAN MAKOKHA
October 3, 2026| A Kakamega school has dominated the Primary English category of the 2026 Kenya National Amani Clubs Association Essay Competition, with its pupils featuring among the top performers nationally.
Joysil Preparatory School in Matungu, Kakamega County, has emerged as one of the standout performers in this year’s competition, producing top national performers and featuring prominently across the Primary English category.
The school’s impressive showing was led by Prince Shadrack, who emerged the overall winner in the national Primary English category with an outstanding 18 out of 20 marks.
His schoolmate Cyril Makokha also secured second position after tying with Ricardo Echesa on 15 marks, while two other Joysil pupils, Cheryl Freya and Aimee Ronde, were among the leading performers after scoring 14 marks each.
The strong performance placed Joysil Preparatory School firmly on the national map in a competition that brought together young writers from across Kenya to reflect on peace, dialogue, conflict resolution and national cohesion.
The school’s success was achieved under the guidance of its Amani Club patron, Elizabeth Mukonzo, whose mentorship helped nurture the pupils’ participation in the national peace-writing initiative.
The competition, held under the auspices of the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC), brought together learners from primary schools, junior and senior secondary schools, teachers’ colleges and universities.
This year’s theme, “Dialogue Over Division – Youth Voices for a United Country,” challenged young Kenyans to examine how dialogue, tolerance and responsible communication can help build peaceful communities.
For Joysil, the results offered more than a collection of impressive marks. They demonstrated the ability of young learners from a school in Matungu to engage with national questions and articulate their ideas on peace and coexistence alongside pupils from across the country.
Joysil’s influence was not confined to the top position. Tracy Joy China also featured among the leading performers in the Junior Secondary School English category, tying for second place with 17 marks.
At Junior Secondary School level, Gichuki Angela Wairimu of Moi Complex Academy emerged the overall winner with 18 marks.
Three learners — Kariuki Njeri Lincoln Mocho and Mwaura Precious Wairimu, both of Moi Complex Academy, and Joysil’s Tracy Joy China — shared second place with 17 marks each.
The competition attracted entries from 23 counties, with essays undergoing a multi-level selection process from schools to sub-county and county levels before the strongest entries were submitted for national assessment.
In the Primary Kiswahili category, Kyalo Tashley of Moi Complex Academy in Nyeri emerged the national winner with 17 marks. Magdaline Nashipae of Enkirgirr Primary School in Isinya, Kajiado, and Wangari Winvet Njeri tied for second with 16 marks.
At Senior Secondary School level, participants were challenged to examine the influence of social media on young people.
In English, Titus Kilei of Kwanthanze Senior School in Machakos topped the category with 17 marks, while Rephine Ngoki Mwendwa of Kinyui Girls Senior School, Hildah Sirintai of Enoomatasiani Girls Senior School and Rhodah Shikuku of Olkeri Mixed Senior School tied in second with 16 marks.
In Kiswahili, Ainea David of Maseno School emerged the winner with 18 marks. Iha Leah Sidi of Matuu Memorial, Virginia Mutua of ACK St Mary’s Ukia Girls in Makueni and Mwangi Edwin Njuguna of Karega Mixed Secondary School in Murang’a shared second place with 17 marks.
At the tertiary level, the competition challenged participants to examine the effectiveness of dialogue as a peacebuilding tool in societies experiencing divisions.
Scarlet Kisia of St Augustine Teachers Training College in Kakamega South emerged the leading English essay writer with 15 marks.
Mwangi Michael Murimi and Vanesa Wambui of Kamwenja Teachers College, together with Samuel Musee of Migori Teachers College, shared second position with 12 marks.
Amani Clubs national chairman Kennedy Kunani said the participation of 23 counties demonstrated the growing interest among young people in using writing to engage with issues affecting society.
“I sincerely thank the counties that organised the essay marking at their county levels before submitting their respective winners to the national level,” Mr Kunani said.
He, however, expressed disappointment that 24 counties did not submit essays, including entries from some schools whose coordinators were involved in the Amani Clubs programme.
The omission, he said, denied more young people an opportunity to participate in the national peace conversation.
The organisers say the competition is designed to go beyond academic excellence by encouraging learners to think about practical ways of promoting peace in their schools, families and communities.
Through their essays, participants reflected on the challenges posed by political, ethnic and social divisions, as well as the growing influence of social media on young people’s relationships.
For Joysil Preparatory School, the results have provided a particularly strong example of how schools can use Amani Clubs to nurture young voices capable of engaging with national issues.
With Prince Shadrack leading the Primary English category and several other Joysil learners featuring among the country’s top performers, the Matungu-based school has emerged as one of the competition’s notable success stories.
The 2026 Amani Clubs National Essay Competition award ceremony will be held on October 9, 2026, in Nairobi, where the national winners are expected to be recognised.