- The teaching fraternity in West Pokot is mourning the death of Alale Girls Senior School teacher Simon Lochap.
- Hillary Muhalya reflects on the educator’s contribution to learners and the wider school community following his death on August 26.
- His passing has left colleagues, learners, family and friends mourning a teacher whose service extended beyond classroom instruction.
The teaching fraternity in West Pokot has been plunged into mourning following the untimely passing of Mr. Simon Lochap, a dedicated educator at Alale Girls Senior School whose sudden departure has left colleagues, learners, family, friends and the wider school community in deep sorrow.
Mr. Lochap passed away on the evening of August 26, 2026, following a short illness, bringing to an abrupt end the life and service of a teacher whose contribution to education will be remembered by those whose lives he touched.
His death is particularly painful because teachers are more than classroom instructors. They are mentors, counsellors, role models, motivators and custodians of the hopes and aspirations of the next generation. Through their daily work, they shape minds, nurture talent, instil discipline and help young people discover their potential.
Mr. Lochap was part of this noble calling.
A teacher and mentor
At Alale Girls Senior School, his work went beyond preparing lessons and delivering content. Like many dedicated educators, he was part of a wider mission to guide learners academically, socially and personally while preparing them for life beyond school.
The suddenness of his death has left a profound void among those who worked alongside him and those who knew him. His colleagues have lost a professional companion, learners have lost an educator and mentor, while his family has lost a beloved relative whose presence can never be replaced.
His passing also brings into focus the often quiet but immense contribution made by teachers across Kenya. Every morning, educators enter classrooms carrying the responsibility of shaping lives. They spend hours teaching, assessing, mentoring, correcting, encouraging and supporting learners, often without fully knowing how deeply their efforts will influence the future.
A teacher’s greatest legacy is therefore not always found in certificates or examination results. It is often found in the lives of former learners who carry the lessons, values and encouragement received from their teachers long after leaving school.
That is the legacy that makes the passing of an educator especially profound.
A legacy beyond the classroom
For the Alale Girls Senior School community, Mr. Lochap’s absence will be felt in the classroom, staffroom and corridors where he served. His colleagues will remember the professional journey they shared with him, while learners will carry memories of a teacher who was part of their formative years.
His death is also a reminder that behind every school is a community of educators whose commitment deserves recognition. Teachers dedicate their time and expertise to developing young people who will eventually become professionals, parents, leaders and contributors to society.
The profession demands patience, resilience, compassion and an enduring belief in the potential of every learner. Those who embrace it leave behind an impact that can span generations.
Mr. Lochap’s service was therefore part of something much larger than an individual career. It was a contribution to the future of his learners, the school and the wider community.
School community mourns
As family, friends, colleagues and learners mourn, his life deserves to be remembered with dignity and gratitude. He gave his time and knowledge to the education of others, and through that service became part of the lives of many people.
The bereaved family, relatives, friends, colleagues and the entire Alale Girls Senior School fraternity are extended heartfelt condolences during this difficult period.
May they find strength in the memories he leaves behind, comfort in the lives he touched and courage to face the days ahead.
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Funeral arrangements and further information will be communicated in due course.
May the soul of Mr. Simon Lochap rest in eternal peace.
By Hillary Muhalya
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