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Just after the release of Kenya Certificate of Secondary Examination (KCSE) by Education Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i,Chemolingot village in Baringo County didn’t know that their kin had excelled so well and it would call for unexpected celebration.

News came in that one Phoebe Jepkemei Lokwee had scored A plain of 82 points rekindling another celebration days after Christmas. The little hamlet in the hot town of Chemolingot met to plan to celebrate the sterling performance in a unique way with mothers dusting off their beads ready for dance while men arming themselves with mobile chairs and walking sticks to join the village in celebration.

With joy written in their faces and tears watering their eyes, a goat was suppose to be slaughtered to make the ceremony complete. Mr. Philemon Lokwee ,Jepkemei’s father gathered old men to slaughter and also conduct blessings to her daughter who had not only made his family proud but the Pokot community at large.

Amid the preparations, a group of women singing songs of victory trouped to the home disrupting the preparations where they dressed Phoebe with traditional beads as they sang round the homestead. Mrs Jane Lokwee her mother could be dressed alongside her signifying the source of the success.

The first born in the family of four was blessed by old men holding twigs of a special tree sprinkling her with water as the tens of villagers nodded to the blessings.

Jepkemei attributed the success to sheer hard work, determination and prayer to God.

“I am thankful to God for enabling me score top grade in the examinations. It was not easy task  but through hardwork, sacrifice and determination .I thank my parents for their support all through my studies, “said Jepkemei who wants to undertake Medicine.

The outstanding performance now gives the Pokot girl child a new perception as she has been known to be married off at an early age after undergoing forceful female genital mutilation. Also the community has pride in it as the constituency has been branded to be a cattle rustling region.

“I want to tell Pokot girls that despite retrogressive vices they face they should see themselves as over comers just like I have done,” added Jepkemei.

“Our community has been featuring in media for the wrong reasons this one calls for a celebration since we are seeing there is light at the end of the tunnel,” said Tecla Lochom.

 “I am very happy for her performance. She has been a hardworking girl and focused to what she wanted to achieve in her studies,” Her father didn’t hide his joy having made the family and the community proud.