How Narok's top KJSEA pupil earned her father's unique reward

When Joseph Ole Siparo handed his daughter a Sahiwal heifer over the weekend, he was not merely rewarding academic excellence, he was celebrating a dream that had been growing since her childhood.

Siparo, a seasoned civil servant, also made her a promise: if she shines again at the next academic level, a car will follow.

In Maasai culture, gifting a heifer or cow is one of the highest forms of honour and appreciation.

Cattle are not just livestock but powerful symbols of wealth, responsibility, and continuity of life.

Presenting a heifer to a child for outstanding achievement signifies trust, pride, and the hope that the recipient will nurture both the animal and the values it represents, acknowledging success as something meant to grow and endure.

Beyond its economic value, a cow carries deep social and spiritual meaning among the Maasai.

Cattle are central to rites of passage, family bonds, and community identity, featuring prominently in ceremonies such as marriage negotiations, blessings, and conflict resolution.

By gifting his daughter, a Sahiwal heifer, Siparo was not only celebrating her academic excellence but also affirming her place within Maasai heritage, recognising her achievement as a form of wealth that, like cattle, must be protected, nurtured, and allowed to multiply.

His daughter, Harriet Lanoi Siparo, is among the pioneer candidates of the Kenya Junior School Education Assessment (KJSEA) and emerged among best-performing pupils in Narok County after scoring an outstanding 70 out of 72 points, earning Exceeding Expectations (EE) in seven subjects.

She led a class of 23 candidates, all of whom qualified for the STEM pathway with over 60 points, placing Emmanuel Educational Centre among the top-performing schools in Narok County.

“She has always been a girl with big dreams. This result shows that those dreams are becoming a reality. This is only the beginning of her journey to success,” As a parent, I could not be prouder,” Siparo said.

For Harriet, the results were more than numbers.  They were proof that discipline, passion, and patience still pay.

“I am very happy and grateful,” she said with a smile. “I did not study because I was forced. I studied because I loved learning. I wanted to understand everything my teachers taught us, not just read to pass exams.”

She attributed her success to consistency and curiosity.

“Every time I did not understand something, I asked questions. I revised daily, practised a lot, and avoided last-minute cramming. I also made time to rest and pray. Once you enjoy what you are learning, studying stops being a burden,” Harriet said.

As pupil at Emmanuel Educational Centre in Narok Town, Harriet was known among teachers for arriving at school early and spending long hours in the library. Her hunger for knowledge often saw her asking her parents to buy her more books.

Harriet’s brilliance extends beyond the classroom. Over the past three years, she has actively participated in public speaking, reaching the national level twice.

“My last public speaking topic was ‘What I Would Do If I Were the School President’, where I finished third nationally,” she said.

She is also taking online German and French lessons, driven by her love for languages and global exposure.

Despite her academic success, Harriet remains grounded. At home, she helps her family by cooking and baking whenever she is not studying.

Her mother, Salome Siparo, describes her as focused yet humble.

“This has always been her dream. Our role was to believe in her, encourage her, and pray for her. We thank God for this achievement and pray that her wish to join Alliance High School will be fulfilled,” she said.

Harriet hopes to join Alliance High School for senior school, pursue the STEM pathway, and eventually become a cardiologist, with software engineering as her second career choice.

STEM - Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics - is designed for learners with strong analytical thinking, problem-solving skills, and an interest in scientific and technical disciplines.

The pathway prepares students for careers and further studies in medicine, engineering, computing, technology, research, and other science-based fields. All senior-school learners also take general core subjects such as English, Kiswahili or Sign Language, ICT skills, and community service.

Emmanuel Educational Centre Director Washington Ochieng said the school prides itself on its Christian foundation.

“We excel in extracurricular activities, taking learners to national competitions in public speaking, drama, and music festivals every year. In 2023, our Grade 7 learner Harriet Lanoi Siparo finished third nationally in public speaking,” he said.

Ochieng attributed the school’s strong performance to discipline, hard work, faith in God, dedicated teaching and non-teaching staff, and committed parents.