Long-serving Catholic Diocese of Kitale Education Secretary Delphine Wachiyeh was termed a pillar of education in the Catholic Diocese of Kitale during her colourful retirement ceremony at her home in Maridadi Farm in Trans Nzoia County.
The ceremony commenced with mass, which was administered by Henry Juma Odonya, the Catholic Bishop of Kitale Diocese and assisted by Bishop Emeritus Maurice Anthony Crowley, with a host of priests and nuns in attendance.
“When I started working as Education Secretary in the Diocese in 2003, there were only ten Secondary schools in West Pokot County and eighteen secondary schools in Trans Nzoia County, but I’m proud as I’m leaving, there are more than eighty secondary schools in both counties,” Wachiyeh said.
Wachiyeh also thanked Bishop Emeritus Maurice Anthony Crowley as a great mentor in her career.
Anthony Crowley was once the principal of Iten Boys Secondary School and Board of Management Chair of Many Catholic Schools in the Diocese.
“As a principal, I established daily and weekly Masses at St. Brigid’s Girls Secondary School Mini, encouraged spiritual growth and ensured that the school remained both academically strong and spiritually grounded. It was this background that prepared me to step into the Diocesan office in 2003,” Wachiyeh said.
Furthermore, Wachiyeh said that as she began her task as Education Secretary in the Diocese, many schools were still struggling.
Some were Harambee schools that the church later handed over to the government, and the infrastructure was limited.
“Together with the principals, priests and school boards, we began the slow but steady process of strengthening Catholic schools. We worked closely to ensure that Catholic values were upheld, discipline was maintained, and academic standards were improved,” Wachiyeh said.
In addition, the priests played a key role in this journey. Their homilies and pastoral presence in the schools became an anchor for the students and teachers.
READ ALSO:
TSC, CEMASTEA roll out nationwide STEM training for Senior School HODs
Whenever there were challenges, be it strikes, indiscipline or management disputes, it was always the parish priest who first reported the matter, and together we would seek solutions,” she said.
“To add on that, with time, we also formed strong networks among principals and administrators, building a sense of unity.
My experience as a former high school principal helped me connect with them easily because I understood their struggles, from managing staff to dealing with students and parents.
One of my greatest joys was seeing Catholic schools grow both in number and in quality.
From the early days when resources were scarce, to later years when the NG-CDF Fund and church initiatives expanded opportunities, I witnessed tremendous progress,” Wachiyeh said.
“I served as Education Secretary for twenty-two years from July 2003 until July 2025, when I finally retired. Looking back, I see a journey of grace and service.
I worked with two bishops, numerous priests, numerous principals, teachers, and students. Together, we built Catholic education in the Diocese of Kitale into what it is today. For me, serving the Catholic Diocese of Kitale was not just a job, it was a calling, a mission and a privilege I will forever cherish, “Wachiyeh concluded.
The Catholic Diocese of Kitale Bishop, Henry Juma Odonya, praised Madam Wachiyeh for her dedication to improving Education in the Diocese.
Bishop Emeritus Maurice Anthony Crowley termed Wachiyeh as a great team player on matters of education.
The Vicar General, Fr. Micah Kemboi Kibet, showered Wachiyeh with praises and crowned her as an inspiration to principals, teachers, BOM members and students.
Secondary school principals and Heads of Institutions of primary schools from West Pokot County and Trans Nzoia were in attendance.
Madam Delphine Wachiyeh’s career:
1968– Joined Kenya Science Teachers College to train in Chemistry and Biology.
1971– Began teaching at Cherangani Secondary School.
1976-Transferred to St. Joseph’s Mixed Secondary School, Kitale.
1981-Left for further studies at McGill University, Montreal, Canada.
1983– Returned to Kenya, joined Chewoyet High School.
1984– Appointed Deputy Principal, Kapropita Girls High School.
1989-Transferred to Moi Teachers Training College, Chepkoilel, as a Senior Lecturer.
1990– Became Principal of St. Brigid’s Girls’ High School.
2002-Retired from St Brigid’s after 13 years as principal.
2003(July)-Appointed Education Secretary, Catholic Diocese of Kitale.
2005 -Retired after 22 years of service.
To her, Education was about Character, Values and Faith.
By Martin Ruto
You can also follow our social media pages on Twitter: Education News KE and Facebook: Education News Newspaper for timely updates.
>>> Click here to stay up-to-date with trending regional stories
>>> Click here to read more informed opinions on the country’s education landscape
