Former Education Cabinet Secretary (CS) Ezekiel Machogu has praised the Catholic Church for its role in advancing education alongside providing spiritual nourishment to residents of Kisii County.
Machogu, who spoke at Nyamagwa Parish Church during a fundraiser, said the Church has been a key partner in education since independence. He noted that it sponsors hundreds of schools across Kisii County, supporting infrastructure development, discipline, and moral formation.
Many top-performing schools in the region, including Cardinal Otunga High School, Mosocho, and St. Charles Lwanga Ichuni Girls, are church-sponsored.
Machogu added that through its education secretariat, the Church supports teacher recruitment, school management, and curriculum implementation. It also runs vocational training centres and colleges that equip young people with practical skills for self-reliance.
Beyond academics, he said the Church instills values such as honesty, hard work, and respect, helping shape responsible citizens. It also supports needy students through bursaries and scholarships, thereby reducing dropout rates.
“While the government provides policy and funding, the Church fills critical gaps in mentorship, infrastructure, and character building,” Machogu said.
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He noted that during his tenure as Education CS, he sought to promote equitable development in the sector by ensuring fair distribution of resources to schools across the country, but unfavourable political conditions hindered his efforts.
Machogu, who represented fellow former Education CSs at the fundraiser, urged the community to rethink its political alignment ahead of the 2027 general elections in order to secure a fair share of national resources.
He also called on other faith-based organizations to emulate the Catholic Church’s model. Additionally, he appealed to residents to support church initiatives, saying strong churches contribute to strong schools and stable communities.
Bobasi MP Innocent Obiri echoed his remarks, stating that his office will continue partnering with churches to improve learning facilities in the constituency.
Nyamagwa Parish Priest Edward Nyakundi thanked the guests and congregation for their support and pledged that the Church will continue working with the government, private sector, and other stakeholders to promote health and education development in the country.
By Enock Okong’o
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