They call it the "Murima Tsunami." The 2025 KCSE results have confirmed a massive resurgence of academic giants in the Mt Kenya region, with schools in Kiambu, Nyeri, and Murang’a posting record-breaking mean scores that have left rivals playing catch-up.

While the national spotlight often swings between Nyanza and Rift Valley, this year, the mountain has staked its claim at the peak. Leading the charge is Alliance High School, which roared back to the top with a mean score of 10.47, closely followed by its sister school, Alliance Girls, at 10.065.

The Nanyuki Phenomenon

Perhaps the most stunning story comes from Nanyuki High School. Once a sleeping giant, the school has shattered its own records, producing 55 straight As—up from just two the previous year. Its mean score jumped from 8.9 to a stratospheric 9.683.

Chief Principal Solomon Koech attributes this "quantum leap" to a radical change in culture. "We stopped teaching for the exam and started teaching for understanding," Koech told joyous parents. The school also introduced a "zero-distraction" policy, banning non-essential visits and focusing on peer mentorship.

The Honor Roll

• Kagumo High (Nyeri): The academic factory of Nyeri achieved a mean of 9.9. Out of a massive class of 515 candidates, only six failed to qualify for university. It is a conversion rate of 99% that few national schools can match.
• Bishop Gatimu Ngandu Girls: The "Bee Gees" maintained their dominance with a mean of 9.8, continuing their legacy of producing top female professionals.
• Murang’a High: Often overshadowed, Murang’a High posted a strong 9.5, cementing its place in the elite league.

The Secret Sauce

Analysts point to a combination of factors driving this renaissance. First, the intense involvement of Alumni Associations has injected millions into infrastructure, ensuring labs and libraries are world-class. Second, the region has seen a "return to discipline," moving away from the strikes and unrest that plagued schools a few years ago.

"The community decided that education is our only resource," says a Kiambu education official. "We invested in teachers, we invested in peace, and now we are harvesting As."

Political Undertones

In a region currently embroiled in high-stakes political realignments, the academic success serves as a unifying point of pride. For the "Murima" base, seeing their schools top the charts is a reminder of their potential clout, both intellectual and political. As the celebrations continue from Limuru to Nyeri, the message is clear: The giants are awake.