‘Kenya One’ celebrates stellar results, vows to stay top

Chief Principal Charles Onyari (in blue t-shirt) and other guests during the thanksgiving Sabbath at Nyambaria High School grounds. PHOTO/Dan Nyamanga, Scholar Media Africa.
Chief Principal Charles Onyari (in blue t-shirt) and other guests during the thanksgiving Sabbath at Nyambaria High School grounds. PHOTO/Dan Nyamanga, Scholar Media Africa.

Nyambaria High School, a national school in Nyamira County, emerged top in the country in the 2022 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examinations hence earning the prestigious name ‘Kenya One’.

On Saturday, February 25, 2023, the alumni group and top government officials held a thanksgiving Sabbath to celebrate the excellent performance.

A whopping 488 students sat for their KCSE examination and the Class of 2022 achieved a mean score of 10.89.

They all attained a direct university entry grade, with the lowest grade being a B (Plain).

An Alumni Group was started in 2018 and inaugurated in January 2019 by the then Chief Justice David Maraga.

Pastor Enoch Ooga delivering sermon at the school. PHOTO/Dan Nyamanga, Scholar Media Africa.
Pastor Enoch Ooga delivering a sermon at the school. PHOTO/Dan Nyamanga, Scholar Media Africa.

According to the group’s chairperson, Dr. Atunga Nyachieo, the motive of having the thanksgiving was to motivate the boys and also encourage the 2023 candidates to do better than those of 2022.

He also noted that their presence in the school would encourage the boys to work hard in their studies and also get spiritual nourishment from several speakers present.

The Alumni presented books to the institution, which Dr. Nyachieo noted would inculcate proper morals in the students for better academic excellence.

“We are today celebrating the good that God has done for us. We have brought gifts for the school and students to ensure that they are nourished both spiritually and academically to fit in all spheres of life,” said Dr. Nyachieo.

Important alumni groups

He also noted the importance of Alumni groups in any learning institution as sources of encouragement and motivation to young learners, with admirable results.

The Alumni group chair, Dr. Atunga Nyachieo, addresses students. PHOTO/Dan Nyamanga, Scholar Media Africa.
The Alumni group chair, Dr. Atunga Nyachieo, addresses the students and other attendees. PHOTO/Dan Nyamanga, Scholar Media Africa.

He noted that the group has been very close to the school, and their frequent visits are finally bearing fruits since its inauguration five years ago.

“Come back and encourage the young learners and teachers, and motivate everyone. You will never be disappointed.

We have done it for Nyambaria and we can all see the results. We are delighted and thank God for this success,” added Dr. Nyachieo.

The Board of Management (BOM) chairperson, Dr. Lazarus Okioma, applauded last year’s candidates and attributed the stunning performance to God and the students’ hard work, which was noted from the time they joined form one in 2019.

He said the class used to do well from their first through to their final year and was contended that they would do better in their final examinations. 

A section of students follows proceedings during the Thanksgiving Sabbath. PHOTO/Dan Nyamanga, Scholar Media Africa.

“The secret behind our super performance and becoming ‘Kenya One’ is that we had a good class right from the day they joined this school in 2019.

They had a mean of 11 points when they moved to form two, and we identified them knowing they were very bright students and nurtured them.

Whenever we talked to them, we always encouraged and reminded them that they were capable of doing well,” said Dr. Okioma.

The chair also noted that the alumni group was very close to the school for the four years he has chaired the board and always came every year to pray with the students and encourage them.

He revealed that frequent prayers and spiritual nourishment played a very important role.

“For the four years I have chaired the board, the alumni group is very faithful to this day. At the beginning of every year, the group comes to the school and prays with our students and motivating them. Today, we can all see the results,” added Dr. Okioma.

Nyambaria Boys' High School B.O.M members pose for a photo with several school staff. PHOTO/Dan Nyamanga, Scholar Media Africa.
Nyambaria Boys’ High School B.O.M members pose for a photo with several school staff. PHOTO/Dan Nyamanga, Scholar Media Africa.

The chairperson showered praises on the school’s Chief Principal, Mr. Charles Onyari, terming him as a hard-working and determined team leader ready to give out his best to the school.

Firm Foundation

Mr. Onyari took over in June 2022 from the now-retired Chief Principal, Mr. Boaz Owino, who the chairperson said had laid a good foundation for the students.

“…but the finishing, as in any race, was superb after we received our new Chief Principal, Mr. Onyari, who took over smoothly and finished well,” said the BOM chair.

According to him, Nyambaria got the best Principal and, together with his team, worked hard to get to the top academically.

“Mr. Onyari is truly a strong person, always ready to assist the students in class and never misses school,” he said. 

The 2022 candidates had targeted a mean of 10.5 but surpassed it to 10.89.

The extra mark, he said, was attributed to the hard-working Principal Onyari and his four deputies and the prayers done to the boys.

However, the chair noted some infrastructural challenges that the institution is facing, which, once solved, would see the school improve.

Solvable impediments

The school administration is on the path to solving the congestion issue in classrooms, as over 25 classrooms are under construction and will be ready in three months, according to him.

A side view of Nyambaria High School. PHOTO/Dan Nyamanga, Scholar Media Africa.
A side view of Nyambaria High School. PHOTO/Dan Nyamanga, Scholar Media Africa.

The school has an acute shortage of dormitories, and students are congested in the currently available ones.

This is attributed to the growing number of students joining the school due to its impressive performances, attracting learners from across the country, the East African Community, and beyond.

He said that once the classrooms are complete and occupied, the focus will shift to the construction of dormitories so that the students are accommodated in a comfortable environment to concentrate on their studies.

For a bigger library to accommodate the many young minds thirsting for education, he noted that the school needs assistance from stakeholders,urging the government to chip in and support the construction of a bigger and more modern one.

The semi-permanent dining hall constructed by the former Principal accommodating 1,200 students at a go is still small and Nyambaria High deserves and needs a bigger one as the number of students has since risen to over 3,000.

Students follow proceedings during the thanksgiving event. PHOTO/Dan Nyamanga, Scholar Media Africa.
Students follow proceedings during the thanksgiving event. PHOTO/Dan Nyamanga, Scholar Media Africa.

The chair noted that it poses a great challenge for the learners as they take their meals from an open field and sometimes disrupts the program when the rains come.

He, however, noted that there are arrangements with the old boys to jointly work with the school administration to construct a multipurpose hall to address the issue.

The hall is currently at the slab stage, and once complete, it will host the dining hall, library, indoor games arenas and lecture theatres.

God’s answers

Justus Mochumbe is the Parents Association (PA) chairperson.

In his view, the results the school has been attaining are a result of the school believing in God.

“All these good performances are answers from God and we are happy He answered our prayers,” he appreciated.

The Chief Principal address congregation during the event. PHOTO/Dan Nyamanga, Scholar Media Africa.
The Chief Principal addresses the congregation during the event. PHOTO/Dan Nyamanga, Scholar Media Africa.

Mochumbe reaffirmed that they would work closely with the new principal, administration, and management to maintain the top position, noting that staying top is a challenge to be taken positively.

“Let’s support our Chief Principal; we know his ability and will work with him closely to ensure that our children are always getting the quality grades that we need to remain up there,” added Mochumbe.

Do Yourselves Justice

Justice Stephen Riechi, a judge at Milimani High Court in Nairobi, commercial section, was the chief guest during the thanksgiving Sabbath. He urged the students to utilize their time in school to design their future life.

Justice Stephen Riechi follows proceedings during the thanksgiving ceremony. PHOTO/Dan Nyamanga, Scholar Media Africa.
Justice Stephen Riechi follows proceedings during the thanksgiving ceremony. PHOTO/Dan Nyamanga, Scholar Media Africa.

He congratulated the 2022 candidates for making the county proud by emerging top in the country and revealed that he was proud to be associated with the school, which is situated in his home ward, Rigoma.

The judge asked the students to always concentrate on their studies for direction in their careers and society.

Academic success would open wider doors for them soon.

“Always be intrinsically motivated to do better, to make a change in life. You have made us proud. There is power and victory only when you submit to God,” said Justice Riechi.

Chief Principal Onyari applauded his predecessor Boaz Owino for the good work he did for the school and pledged to take the school to the next level and make his students competitive in the world markets and dependable people in the society.

He attributed the good performance of the last year’s candidates to a good foundation laid down by the former Principal and the good working relationship between staff and management he has enjoyed since he took over in June 2022.

RELATED STORY: After 34 years of teaching, Chief Principal Owino hangs up boots

“Mr. Owino started well and finished in style. With this cordial working relationship in the institution, we are going to do even better and produce students who will be competitive in the job markets and be dependable in society,” he said.

ADDITIONAL PHOTOS

The Chief Principal introduces some of his deputies during the event. PHOTO/Dan Nyamanga, Scholar Media Africa.
The Chief Principal introduces three of his four deputies during the event. PHOTO/Dan Nyamanga, Scholar Media Africa.
Justice Stephen Riechi (grey suit) hands a carton of book donations from the alumni group to the school Principal Charles Onyari. PHOTO/Dan Nyamanga, Scholar Media Africa.
Justice Stephen Riechi (grey suit) hands a carton of book donations from the alumni group to the school Principal Mr. Charles Onyari. PHOTO/Dan Nyamanga, Scholar Media Africa.
Justice Stephen Riechi addressing students. PHOTO/Dan Nyamanga, Scholar Media Africa.
Justice Stephen Riechi addressing students and the other members present. PHOTO/Dan Nyamanga, Scholar Media Africa.
Part of alumni light candles to celebrate good performance and commitment to maintain the top position for the next 10 years. PHOTO/Dan Nyamanga, Scholar Media Africa.
Part of the alumni lights candles to celebrate the school’s stellar performance and commitment to maintaining the top position for the next ten years. PHOTO/Dan Nyamanga, Scholar Media Africa.
The School's main gate (with parents and guardians attending the event). PHOTO/Dan Nyamanga, Scholar Media Africa.
The School’s main gate (with parents and guardians attending the event). PHOTO/Dan Nyamanga, Scholar Media Africa.
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