When Maureen and Michelle Kerina were born minutes apart 18 years ago, their parents prayed for them to have a bright future. They didn't expect that future to arrive simultaneously, with almost identical precision. The twin sisters have scored straight As in the 2025 KCSE exams—Maureen with 84 points, Michelle with 83 points—becoming the latest duo to prove that brilliance might just run in the DNA.

The phenomenon of twins excelling in national exams is becoming a curious trend in Kenya. In 2021, we had the Maseno School twins; in 2023, the Alliance twins. Now, the Kerina sisters have added their names to the Hall of Fame, but with a twist: they conquered the exams from rival schools.

The "Telepathic" Study Plan

Despite being 40 kilometers apart—Maureen at Alliance Girls in Kikuyu and Michelle at Loreto Limuru—the sisters maintained a synchronized study rhythm. "We had a schedule," Maureen reveals. "If I was waking up at 4 AM to study Math, I knew Michelle was doing the same. We kept each other accountable through letters and the occasional phone call."

• Nature vs. Nurture: Education psychologists argue that twins often benefit from a unique competitive cooperation. "They have a built-in peer support system from birth," says Dr. Jane Wambui. "They don't want to leave the other behind, so they push each other harder than any teacher could."
• The Parents' Role: Mr. and Mrs. Kerina made a conscious decision to send them to different schools to allow them to develop individual identities. "We didn't want them to be 'the twins'," their mother says. "We wanted them to be Maureen and Michelle. It was tough on them initially, but look at the results."

A Double Blessing, A Double Bill

The family is now preparing for the next phase: University. Both sisters have been called to pursue competitive courses—Maureen in Engineering, Michelle in Medicine. For the parents, the joy is mixed with the reality of funding two premium degree programs simultaneously.

"We will manage," Mr. Kerina says with a smile. "You don't complain when God blesses you twice."

As the sisters celebrated with cake and song, their story resonated across the country. It is a reminder that in the high-pressure world of KCSE, having a partner who understands your journey—literally from the womb—might be the ultimate cheat code.