By Lydia Ngoolo
Old boys of Makueni High school in Makueni County have launched an Alumni Association to support the needy students and supplement school development.
Speaking on behalf of the alumni during the unveiling, the association’s chairman Maithya Nzioka said they came together as old boys after noticing a missing link in education, and registered the association in August 17 2021 with the help of Chief Principal Raphael Diwani.
The chair called upon students to desist from the culture of burning books and uniform after final examinations. “Students should know that’s not the end of the world but a start of life, keep them or give out to friends,” said Nzioka.
According to Nzioka, the association’s main role is to supplement school development through establishing a kitty for the needy and setting up a mentorship program to encourage the students.
He added that they will consult the principal and BOM so that as old boys, they can put up a structure to ensure a life association in the school.
Speaking during the launch, the oldest student of class 1974, Eliud Liku an architectural engineer by profession, called upon more alumni to support the initiative.
He also resigned as BOM chairman in the school to pave way for young ones to lead.
“I am a lecturer at the University of Nairobi. I call upon many boys to come and join. I am also a consultancy in the architectural field since 1988 feel encouraged and motivated to emulate us,” said Liku.
Liku also thanked the principal and the board, adding that the school has changed a lot since he left. He reminded the boys that the world awaits them and they should be focused.
Alumni secretary general Hillary Mbuta -class of 1999 noted that the school started in 1965 with over 9000 students having passed through it up to date.He indicated that the association already has over 100 members and promised the students its full support. “So far 150 members have joined and we expect more to join. Let the boys work hard and give us good grades, they will never regret,” Mbuta assured.
He added that the school has produced number 6 neurosurgeon in Africa among other top people with high end jobs conquering the world and that the boys have no excuse of failing regardless of where they come from.
Otieno Ombok, a part time lawyer and lecturer and an old boy of 1986 who proceeded to Baringo boys for form 5 and 6 said he was lucky to join two national schools.
He encouraged students saying books are equalizers regardless of their background encouraging them to work harder.
“Times have changed for the better, don’t fail us. The world will be developed by networking therefore put more efforts,” Ombok said.
Overwhelmed by joy Chief Principal Raphael Diwani said it’s a day he has been looking forward to and it has come to pass.
“Today I have gotten another arm to partner with for the betterment of the school. Personally I am an alumni of Kwale and Njiri high school and we have a development project to hand over in one of the schools as old boys,” said Diwani.
He observed that now that the Makueni old boys have seen the challenges in the school, he is sure they will do something since they have a will to give.
With the swelling population at 1642, he called upon total support morally and physically to better the school.
Deputy Principal Albert Musyimi thanked the team adding that he is happy because some of the old boys have been sponsoring needy students.
