Renowned educationist Sylvester Angoye Musikoyo, the Director of Joysil Preparatory School in Koyonzo, has been nominated for the Head of State Commendation (HSC) under the category of Scholarship, Professionalism, and Research.
Angoye, a veteran educator with more than 35 years of service, is best known as the founding headteacher of Koyonzo Secondary School in Matungu. He is credited with transforming the institution from a modest single-stream school into a thriving eight-double-stream centre of academic excellence during his tenure.
Koyonzo Secondary admitted its first class in 1998 and quickly rose to prominence under Angoye’s leadership. The school posted a mean score of 5.2 in its first Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examination, surpassing established institutions such as Bulimbo Girls and Kholera Boys.
“Koyonzo was built on a strong foundation of community goodwill,” recalled Angoye. “Chief Nyarotso, then the area chief, personally approached me to lead the school. I transferred from Isongo Secondary in Mumias East, where I served as deputy headteacher, to take up the challenge.”
He attributes the school’s early success to close collaboration between teachers, parents, and local leaders.
“We worked hand in hand with the community. Most of our students came from humble backgrounds but were determined to change their lives. I’m proud that many of them are now doing well in different professions,” he said.
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Despite his pride in the school’s legacy, Angoye expressed concern over what he described as the institution’s current decline.
“It pains me to see what Koyonzo has become. My home is less than three kilometres from the school, but only one teacher, Mr Oliver Minishi, has ever invited me to speak to students. The rest have ignored the community and stakeholders who genuinely care about the school,” he lamented.
Angoye blamed poor management for the school’s challenges.
“The headteacher is nearing retirement and appears disengaged. Teachers’ morale is low due to unpaid salaries, with some going for months without pay. Exam malpractice has also crept in, undoing the values we worked hard to instil,” he said.
His HSC nomination comes after a long and decorated career in Kenya’s education sector. Mr Angoye began his teaching journey at Mwihila High School in Khwisero Constituency before moving to Isongo Secondary and later to Koyonzo Secondary. He later served as Assistant Director of Quality Assurance in Samia and as District Education Officer in Kuresoi, where he helped raise education standards.
During his tenure in Kuresoi, he crossed paths with world champion athlete Faith Kipyegon, then a young student.
“I encouraged Faith to balance athletics with academics so she could communicate effectively and understand the wider world,” he said.
Mr Angoye also played a key role in the rollout of Free Primary Education (FPE) and was among the early advocates for the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC).
“Education has always been my passion. It’s the greatest equaliser,” he said. “Seeing people transform their lives through learning gives me immense satisfaction.”
Now retired from public service, Mr Angoye continues his work in education through Joysill Preparatory School, an institution he founded in Koyonzo to provide affordable, quality learning to children in the region.
“This nomination humbles me,” he said. “If awarded the HSC on Mashujaa Day, it will be a great honour and validation of my lifelong commitment to education.”
By Victor Ngecho
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