By Martin Ruto
Besides its household lively culture and vast natural resources, West Pokot also boasts of one John Pkech Ngimor, their first ever graduate Mathematician from the University of Nairobi.
Having climbed the education ladder to become an accomplished Mathematician, Ngimor reflects on his academic steps and emphasizes the importance of co-curricular activities in schools.
Born in 1952 in Chesegon, Pokot central in West Pokot County, Ngimor started his early education at Chesegon Primary School from class 1-4 before joining Kapenguria Intermediate School for class 5.
Ngimor did his Kenya Preliminary Examination in 1965, as the last group in that system before C.P.E. was introduced.
He joined the prestigious Chewoyet High school in 1966 from where he did the East Africa Certificate of Education (EACE), becoming the first Pokot to score Division I.
He joined Nakuru High School for form 5 and 6, taking Maths, Chemistry, Physics, Biology and General paper.
In 1972 Mr. John Ngimor joined the University of Nairobi (UoN) to pursue Maths, Chemistry and Physics.
Upon his graduation in 1975 he made another sterling record by becoming the first Pokot to graduate with a degree.
Mr. Ngimor pays a lot of tribute to his former lecturers especially the Late Professors George Eshiwan who later became the VC of KU and George Saitoti who later became the Vice President of Kenya. He terms them as wonderful Math’s Lecturers.
Mr Ngimor did his teaching practice while still at the University of Nairobi at Highlands Girls School which later was changed to Moi Girls School Eldoret.
He was first posted to Nasokol Girls Secondary School in 1975, and promoted two years later to Deputy Head Teacher in the same school.
In 1978 he was promoted as the Principal of Kilgoris High School in Narok
In September 1979, Ngimor was transferred to Chewoyet High School taking over from his former school Principal Mr. Beech.
He got married in 1982. Mr. Ngimor introduced of the “A” level in Chewoyet School In 1984.
Woyet means Work therefore Chewoyet means students were supposed to work very hard in school. Mr Ngimor was in Chewoyet High School from 1978 to 1987.
Early 1988, he was promoted as the staffing officer in Nyanza Province and later as an Administration Officer in the Ministry of Tourism. He also became the senior Assistant Secretary in the same Ministry.
1991 he became the under secretary in the Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife.
In 1994 as an under secretary Mr. Ngimor with his team in the Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife made extensive marketing of Kenya in the UK, Germany, Belgium and Seychelles.
From 1994 -1998 Mr. Ngimor worked as the manager World Vision in Kiwawa, West Pokot County, Kabarnet for 18 months and Olotoktok in Kajiado.
In 2000 Mr. Ngimor joined the Bible Society as a Bible Translator.
In 2008 Mr. Ngimor went back to school as the principal of Rev. Murupus high school, He also taught Geography in the school. In 2009 he became the principal of Anderson Secondary School in Endebess/Chepchoina (Suam) at the boarder of West Pokot County and Trans-nzoia County in 2009.
He was a Board member of the Netherlands Harambee Foundation for Health.
From 2012-2017 he was the coordinator of the Netherlands Harambee Foundation for Health
From 2017 to date Mr. Ngimor is a serious Maths consultant. He says that the teaching of mathematics needs to be addressed especially the teaching methodologies, He also says that Mathematic teachers should frequently be taken for refresher courses and seminars.
Mr. Ngimor further emphasizes the importance of co-curricular activities in schools which he says greatly contribute to good performance in schools. He clearly remembers the Chewoyet High school football (Soccer) team that ruled Rift Valley and National Tournaments from 1979-1981.
Education news caught up with the then Chewoyet High School Soccer team captain Joel Kapelo a retired teacher in Kapenguria Town who clearly provided the Names of players who ruled Rift Valley and National tenement in Soccer. The players were as follows:
No. 1 Golkeeper – Japhason
Macharia – later
Played for Bata
Bullets
No. 2 Peter Chemayek was assistant Captain
No.3 Mourice Wasike later played for Kitale Transport FC
No.4 Jose Mwale later played for Bata Bullets.
No.5 Joseph Liana nick named (KUPE) later played for KTL FC
No.6 Geofrey Masai
No.7 Joel Kapelo school soccer captain later played for Kitale Transcom
and Mwalimu FC of Kapenguria Division one team
No.8 Clement Kanyongi later played for Nakuru Transcom
No.9 Justus Wekesa later played for AFC Leopards
No.10 Patrick Shim later played for Kitale FC and AFC Leopards.
No.11 Moses Chemelei later played for Mwalmu FC Division one team
The much talented Coach and Tactician was Mr. Mukasa who later introduced Football in Wiyeta Girls High School. Wiyeta Girls severally became champions during tournaments in Football girls during National and in East and Central Football Girls championships.
Mr. Joel Kapelo former school soccer Captain and retired teachers is currently a teacher in West Pokot County can be reached through 0797553949.
Ngimor celebrated his 70th birthday in June 25th 2022, having been a long serving principal at Chewoyet Boys National School.
The colorful ceremony was held at his home in Kamwino Psigirio Village in Kapenguria, and graced by Jackson Kokwo Lotuliatum- a retired West Pokot Staffing Officer, Godfrey Mwanga, Benson Rirmpoi and Okiring from Busia County- all being old boys of Chewoyet Boys National School.
Speaker after speaker praised Mr. Ngimor as a hardworking educationist as he remains a mathematics consultant upto date.
Some of the Chewoyet Boys National School present included Mr. Jackson Kokwo Lotuliatum- a retired West Pokot Staffing Officer, Godfrey Mwanga, Benson Rirmpoi and Okiring from Busia County.
The guest of honor was CS Jebii Kilimo. Other guests included Bishop Stephen Kewasis also a former student of Chewoyet Boys High school and Mr. Michael Lokomol also former ministry of education staffing officer in West Pokot County.
