- Gilbert Amani Ongoro and Baraka Mulwa secured a historic Kenyan one-two finish at EAMO 2026.
- Kenya won two gold medals, one silver, two bronze medals and an honourable mention.
- The country’s top young mathematicians now set their sights on PAMO and the International Mathematical Olympiad.
By Joseph Mambili
Kenya has once again demonstrated its mathematical prowess after its students delivered a stellar performance at the 2026 East African Mathematical Olympiad (EAMO), securing the top two positions and collecting multiple medals in a dominant regional display.
Leading the Kenyan charge was Gilbert Amani Ongoro, who emerged as the overall champion after scoring 40 out of a possible 42 marks to claim the gold medal and the coveted first position in East Africa.
Close behind him was fellow Kenyan Baraka Mulwa, who scored 37 points to secure second place and another gold medal, giving Kenya a historic one-two finish in the competition.
The strong showing continued with Tumi Nyagiro, who finished tenth overall and earned a silver medal after scoring 22 points. She was also the highest-ranked Kenyan female participant in the competition.
Kenya added two bronze medals through Kesha Wanjare, who ranked eleventh overall with 21 points, and Kibe Ndung’u, who placed fourteenth with 20 points.
The country’s depth of talent was further highlighted by Juni Mumo, who received an Honourable Mention after achieving full marks in one of the challenging Olympiad problems, while Abigail Gathara also represented Kenya in the competition.
Kenya stamps authority
The results cement Kenya’s reputation as one of the region’s strongest mathematical powerhouses, with its students outperforming competitors from Uganda, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Rwanda, Djibouti and South Sudan.
Ongoro’s performance was particularly impressive, dropping only two marks across six highly demanding proof-based questions. His victory placed him ahead of some of East Africa’s brightest young mathematical minds and underscored Kenya’s growing influence in international mathematics competitions.
The Olympiad tests students’ ability to solve complex mathematical problems requiring creativity, logical reasoning and rigorous proof-writing rather than routine classroom calculations.
Road to continental and global competition
The success at EAMO comes as Kenya prepares for greater challenges on the continental and international stage.
The next major event for Africa’s top young mathematicians will be the Pan-African Mathematics Olympiad (PAMO), the continent’s premier secondary school mathematics competition.
Established in 1986 by the African Mathematical Union, PAMO brings together the best mathematics students from across Africa. Each participating country may field up to six students under the age of 20. Competitors tackle two papers, each lasting four and a half hours and containing three proof-based questions worth seven marks each, for a maximum score of 42 points.
Beyond awarding medals, PAMO serves as a platform for identifying and nurturing Africa’s future scientists, engineers, researchers and innovators while fostering collaboration among young mathematicians across the continent.
International Mathematical Olympiad
Kenya’s top performers are also expected to feature prominently in preparations for the 67th International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO) 2026, scheduled for July 9–21, 2026.
The world’s most prestigious mathematics competition will bring together elite student mathematicians from across the globe for two days of intensive examinations, cultural exchanges and academic engagement.
The competition will culminate in a closing ceremony on July 20, where the world’s best young mathematical talents will be honoured.
With Ongoro, Mulwa, Nyagiro, Wanjare, Ndung’u, Mumo and Gathara producing outstanding results at the regional level, expectations are high that Kenya will continue flying the country’s flag on the continental and global mathematics stage.
Their achievements not only showcase individual brilliance but also reflect the growing strength of mathematics education and talent development programmes in Kenya.
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