The image of Sebastian Onyango, the top student of Nyakwere Primary, sitting back in a Grade 9 desk because he cannot afford the Sh53,000 fees for Oriwo Boys High School, has gone viral. But beneath the surface of this human-interest story lies a massive legal and structural problem that the Ministry of Education is currently scrambling to address.
Here is why Sebastian’s “choice” to repeat is actually a direct challenge to the very foundation of the CBE framework.
1. The KNEC Ban on Repetition
In December 2025, during the release of the inaugural Kenya Junior Schools Education Assessment (KJSEA) results, KNEC CEO Dr. David Njengere was explicit: No learner will be allowed to repeat Grade 9.
The Reason: Unlike the old 8-4-4 system, CBE is designed as a continuous progress model. Students are meant to move into “Pathways” (STEM, Social Sciences, or Arts & Sports) based on their potential, not just a single exam score.
The Legal Limbo: By allowing Sebastian to repeat, Nyakwere Primary is technically in breach of Ministry directives. This creates a dangerous precedent: if one top student repeats for a better scholarship chance, thousands of others may follow, clogging the Junior School system.
2. The “Scholarship Hunger Games”
Sebastian’s logic is heartbreakingly simple: he hopes that by repeating and scoring even higher, he will attract a “well-wisher.”
The Gap: Current scholarships like the Elimu Scholarship Programme (managed by JKF) target those with achievement levels of 5–8. Sebastian already hit the top tier, yet the “100% transition” funding didn’t reach his doorstep in time.
The Risk: By waiting another year, Sebastian isn’t just risking a legal block from KNEC; he is betting his future on the hope that 2027 will be more prosperous than 2026—a gamble many impoverished families are forced to take.
3. The “Ghost” in the KEMIS System
The Ministry’s new Kenya Education Management Information System (KEMIS) is designed to track every student’s unique UPI (Unique Personal Identifier).
When a student is placed in Grade 10 (as Sebastian was at Oriwo Boys), the system “locks” them into that level.
If Sebastian tries to register for the KJSEA again in 2026, the system will likely flag him as a “duplicate” or an “unauthorized repeater,” potentially barring him from ever receiving a formal certificate.
