Nakuru Maths teacher chasing Guinness World Record receives national honours

A mathematics teacher who spent 45 hours teaching to challenge perceptions about the subject is among a group of Nakuru educators honored nationally as Kenya marked World Teachers Day.

Fenwick Maloba a Menengai High School teacher was named the Most Resilient Teacher at the 2026 national teachers awards, months after completing a 45-hour attempt to set a Guinness World Records title for teaching mathematics.

His recognition came alongside several other teachers from Nakuru who were honored in different categories, placing the county among areas whose educators received multiple national awards as the country celebrated the contribution of teachers to education.

Maloba’s journey to the national award began at the sub-county level after teachers were invited to apply for the different categories through a call for nominations.

He went through interviews at the sub-county, county, regional and national levels, with the field narrowing at every stage.

“At the sub-county level, my category had around 20 contestants. When we went to the county, the number reduced to roughly 15 and then to around 10 at the regional level,” Maloba tells Mtaa Wangu.

Three teachers from each stage proceeded to the next level before the finalists were considered for the national awards presented by President William Ruto.

Maloba says he applied for the Most Resilient Teacher category because of the endurance he demonstrated during his mathematics teaching marathon. In June 2026, he successfully completed a 45-hour attempt for teaching mathematics.

He notes that the attempt, however, has not yet been officially ratified by Guinness World Records, as he is stilling waiting for communication from them since he was informed that the verification process was still ongoing.

If his attempt is ratified, Maloba says he hopes to push the limits further by attempting to teach mathematics for 100 hours. More to it, he is now planning to establish a free mathematics learning center where learners can receive additional lessons in the evenings and over weekends.

 “After all, the slogan behind the Guinness World Record attempt was ‘Math is not a monster’,” he says.

Maloba, urges teachers to redefine the limits and give learners new ways of looking at subjects that they may have long considered difficult.

“Any time a teacher does something extraordinary, you bring inside the minds of the learners a new perspective about that subject,” he says

Maloba was not the only Nakuru teacher recognized during the 2026 national teacher’s awards. Shikholo Christable of Kiamaina Primary School also won in the Most Resilient Teacher category.

Under Co-curricular and Talent Development Siele Michal Kibet of Kimonio Primary School was recognized, while Langat Peter of Wei Primary School and Mwaraki Primary School teacher Mwai Peter Bushnell received an award from Innovation and ICT integration in teaching.

Additionally, Bett Dennis Kiprono of Mawe Mixed Day Secondary School was recognized under the Sustainable Development Educators Award while Nderitu Richard of Utumishi Academy Secondary School received the Teacher Mentor Award.

The President’s Award Recognition went to George Kinyua Mwaniki of Njoro Boys Secondary School, while Koech Collins Kibet of Nakuru High School won the Early Career Education Award.

The awards brought together teachers from across the country who were recognized across 15 categories.

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