Hundreds turned out to pay their last respects last Tuesday to former Sacred Heart Mukumu Girls’ High School Principal Sister Rita Shisala Itebete at the Mukumu convent cemetery in Shinyalu constituency, Kakamega County.
She was affectionately known to many as ‘Mtawa’ nun for Kiswahili and died on March 24, 2024.
Parents and alumnae of the school eulogised her as a humble woman of resolute character and of strong convictions. They said she, without doubt, was devoted and dedicated woman who embraced all those who loved her and she unhesitatingly reciprocated love in equal measure.
Sr Rita was born in Shinyalu constituency and according to tributes she lived a rather fruitful and prolific life and died at the ripe old age of 80, twenty runs short of a century and taught more than 30,000 students.
“I’ve learnt of the untimely death of Sister Rita Itebete and wish to pass my heartfelt condolences to her brother, Vincent Itebete, the great Itebete family of Khayega, the Bamilonje subclan, the Bisukha, the Bakakamega community, the Mukumu Catholic community and all her friends and colleagues in the teaching fraternity. Sister Rita is the mother of education of our community, who moulded many of the female professionals in Kenya. I mourn her,” Kakamega County Dr Boni Khalwale, CBS eugolised her via social media handle.
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She served at the school between 1978 to 2004 and last Monday hundreds of Mukumu Girls High alumni gathered for a requiem mass at the Sisters of Mary Kakamega St Augustine Chapel.
Former students said Sr Rita had a unique storytelling technique using her Luhyia heritage during CRE and History lessons.
Another Facebook user wrote, “Those who leave, leave us lessons. What lessons did Mtawa leave you with? I go first………Touch many more lives that she has done, there is an urgent need for mentoring the youth in our society. By God’s grace you will do marvelous. Ensure fairness and justice is done to all, commitment to duty is exercised, integrity and honesty upheld, may peace love and harmony prevail in our society, through your respective departments, professions and vocations. That is your assignment.
Remember to take. Internalise and use the good of everyone you meet on your journey and leave out their vices.”
By Our Reporter
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