By Lydia Ngoolo
He could literally be in every corner of the school; how he did it, is still a wonder in the minds of the old students of Baringo Mixed Secondary School. They nicknamed him OJ and referred him as a great teacher who should be emulated by all in discipline and performance.
John Chege who spoke on behalf of the old students said they did not know how to thank Mr. Wambua enough because, were it not for the discipline he instilled in them, they could not be where they had reached in life.
“We did all sorts of nasty things as students but he could always catch us and the rest was history. He trained us and we had no option to obey whether willingly or not. The teachers were disciplined too since he led by example,” said the alumnus.
Upon making mistakes, he could give girls and boys alike serious punishments like washing pavements around the school compound, uprooting tree stamps, and when a student’s mistake was overboard, he could send them home accompanying them with countless strokes of the cane. It made them learn through the hard way, something that has helped them in their lives.
“He put us through the drills of learning well and preparing for tomorrow. Discipline was the key but nowadays it has lagged behind even in many workplaces. You cannot succeed without discipline.” He noted.
The former student, during his candid talk urged the society to seriously rethink of such values as discipline and hard work. Further, he noted that there was no more resilience especially amongst the youth, giving examples of those who in many cases end up quitting jobs for lack of discipline.
Baringo Boys High School’s current principal Peter Owino said they are now benchmarking with the era that the school was in during Wambua’s tenure, adding that former students are very proud of the school.
“It is purely a boy’s school nowadays fetching many students in Rift Valley, Coast, Kisumu and many other parts of the country as it stands with a population of 1100. The school tops in Baringo and we will make sure it never lags” Owino said.
The retired principal Mr. Fredrick Wambua Nthaku who taught at the school between 1982 to 1989 serving as deputy and later a principal could not express his joy after about 50 of his students from all over the country paid him a visit at his Wamunyu home in Machakos County.
“Let me officially start by accepting my nickname Mr. OJ. Students are funny but loving at the same time. I cannot deny the fact that they hated me for disciplining them but they later appreciated it. This should go down the history I cannot imagine seeing my students visit me after 32 years since I left the school,” said and overwhelmed Wambua.
The former principal observed that he only used to punish for the mistakes but he remained to love them. It was not all about caning and punishments as he could offer counseling as well.
He went on saying that during his service he had no time to waste because the students kept him busy. He could not resist but had to complain that the current generation is not disciplined as far as caning a student often lands teachers in trouble, citing that the bible talks about it, so ‘who are we to dispute?’
Soon after leaving Baringo, he taught at Kangundo, Machakos Boys and Kathiani before going on retirement. Wambua who has maintained a look that is younger than his age said peace and tranquility in the family matters a lot calling for prayers for him to live longer.
“I have one of the best for a wife. She is my pillar,” he said amid laughter.
Throughout his service he said he has nothing to regret despite being busy all through. He urged people to start planning early before retirement age comes.
To him, no workplace is far from home. He would visit home on Saturday and go back on Sunday though he could not attend church services during home visits.
“I always wanted to arrive at school before supper and prep time to monitor and discipline my students. We used to pass so well and Baringo is still excelling,” He declared.
He also urged his students working in different departments not to forget his own children when opportunities arise. He has educated four sons up-to university level and three of whom are currently looking for jobs as one is headed for greener pasture.
Wambua’s current occupation is farming where he has 1000 mango trees among other crops. He is also a landlord and called for investment even as one continues working.
The area assistant chief Jacob Muinde said Wambua is a good person who even teaches during his retirement by coaching the community through farming.
“Not many learners remember their teachers, only a few of them which shows the good life you used to live. Pass the same to your juniors,” Muinde insisted.
