By Fredrick Odiero
Maseno National School, located in Kisumu County, has received a major boost after its old boys erected a twin classroom worth Shs 3 million within a record two months.
The Maseno Old Boys Association (MOBA) under the leadership of Mr. Walter Odhiambo also promised to work on other infrastructural challenges at the top learning institution.
Together with other MOBA members, Mr. Odhiambo promised to improve on the road networks around the school since many of them are road engineers.
Mr. Odhiambo added that the 100% transition policy has created major challenges in learning institutions and that Maseno School isn’t exempted.
Mr. Odhiambo said they will continue supporting their old school, which he noted, has produced top brains in the country.
The school principal Mr. Peter Owino Otieno lauded the gesture by the old boys noting that it is plausible.
Otieno said that demand for space at the institution has been on an upward trend due to its reputation and discipline.
‘Discipline and hard work has been the driving force behind the sterling performance of the school. It’s because of their discipline that our school wasn’t hit by the wave of unrests which rocked many learning institutions across the country,’ he pointed out.
Otieno revealed that the school realized a mean of 9.58 in 2020 KCSE and that they are optimistic they will perform better in this year’s exams.
‘Out of the 467 candidates who sat for the exams, only 4 didn’t make it to public universities,’ he said.
Otieno revealed that the school offers 15 subjects. It also offers unique courses such as Aviation though they have limitations which restrict the number of those interested in the prestigious course.
‘We currently have 23 students for that course. At times, they are forced to go to Wilson airport for certain courses hence the small number in that class” he says.
Otieno revealed that the school has 97 teachers.
67 have been posted by the Teachers Service Commission while 30 have been posted by the school’s Board of Management.
Otieno revealed that they have 13 support staff who are dedicated towards taking the school to greater heights.
He revealed that there are plans to construct a 250 capacity dormitory as they prepare for the Competence Based Curriculum students.
He added that the school also engages in extracurricular activities.
“We have been a power house in basketball locally and regionally for many years” he says.
Otieno revealed that the school lacks a proper dining hall, a standard library and an ICT lab though there are plans to construct the same.
Maseno School was established in 1906 by English Missionaries particularly Rev. J.J. Willis. It has a student population of over 2400.
The school has rich alumni like Jaramogi Oginga Odinga, Kenya’s first Vice President, Professor Thomas Russley Odhiambo, Kenyan entomologist and environmental activist who directed research and scientific development in Africa, Barack Obama Senior, a government economist and the father of the United States President Barack Obama, David Wasawo, a zoologist, Professor Reuben J. Olembo, an academic, geneticist, environmentalist and former deputy executive director of UNEP, Farah Maalim, Ramogi Achieng Oneko, former Cabinet Minister Wilson Ndolo Ayah, justice retired Richard Otieno Kwach, Kisumu West MP John Olago Aluoch and former East African Law Society chairman James Mwamu among others.
Education Cabinet Secretary Professor George Magoha recently toured the school and commended the students for their high level of discipline.
