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Cardinal Otunga school seeks to restore former glory

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Published on Saturday, 05 November 2011 03:20

CARDINAL Otunga High School Mosocho’s alumni reads like who is who in Kenya today but the once preferred school for any student in the country is a pale shadow of its former self. Dilapidated and stretched physical facilities welcome you to the school that used to excel nationally in both academics and sports but has seen its fortunes dwindle in the recent past.

Most of the facilities were put up 50 years ago and are in a sorry state and need emergency rehabilitation. Efforts are being made by a group of former students under the Cardinal Otunga Old Boys Association (COOBA) to expand and rehabilitate them.  The six stream school currently has a student population of 1,100 boys and much of its infrastructure needs renovation.

And with the national examinations having started yesterday, there is hope that the school will regain its lost glory. “We have been on an upward trend for the past five years and ultimately, we shall be where we belong,” says a confident Zachary Nyariki, the principal. “We have maintained consistence and we are upbeat that we are heading to our rightful position,” adds Nyariki.

A former student Dr Raymond Oigara, a consultant surgeon, says the school’s performance has been improving due to stability.  “There was a time the school had five principals in less than three years but the current one has been around six years and this has brought stability,” notes Oigara.

From the year 2000 to 2004, the school had five principals with Paul Kokelo now at Migori TTC serving the shortest tenure from June 2003- Jan 2004. Prof Evans Aosa of the University of Nairobi’s School of Business says students should compete with national schools. “When we were here we were playing in the same league with Mang’u, Alliance and other national school. You should also compete with them,” he said during the school’s Golden Jubilee celebrations last week.

Commenting on the dilapidated structures, Aosa said: “I’m shocked that decades after I left here, the same structures I left are still there. More shocking is a fact that the same seats we were using are the same ones being used.” COOBA chairman Clement Nyandiere said: “We have an obligation to give back.   It is my prayer that one of these days we shall put up a storey dormitory fully sponsored by the old boys.  Perhaps do some refurbishment on the science labs or even the sports fields.”

Aosa and Nyandiere pledged to rehabilitate two classrooms at the school and challenged other old boys to follow suit. Nyandiere notes: “I do know the principal is also dreaming of a multi-purpose hall built by old boys.” “Years on, Cardinal has produced men who have served Kenya and the world in many spheres- from corporate to government; from farms to factory; from social circles to sports fields,” adds the chairman.

Assistant Minister for Transport Simon Ogari said he will mobilize several MPs who studied at Cardinal Otunga to help develop the school. “We don’t have concrete old boys association but I will network with my colleagues in parliament so that we strengthen this organization. We are concerned about the declining education standards and we want to give the school a facelift,” said the Bomachoge MP.

Kisii Diocese Bishop Mairura Okemwa, also an old boy of the school, said: “I don’t see the reason why old boys cannot develop this school. We should come together and help this school and I will be grateful,” said the Catholic cleric. Dr Oigara, the vice chairman of COOBA, said former old boys including Kenya Airways boss Titus Naikuni and KCB’s Martin Oduor Otieno had expressed their willingness to help develop the school.

The Missionary CMM Brothers from Holland led by Br Innocent De Kok, who upon invitation by the then Bishop of Kisii, the late Maurice Michael Otunga, founded this school in 1961. A monument with statues of Cardinal Otunga and the first principal of the school Innocent De-Kok was unveiled as part of celebrations to mark 50 years. The school was initially called St James' Secondary.

During the celebration, long serving teaching and support staff members were honoured. Some of Cardinal Otunga’s alumni include Kenya Airways Managing Director Titus Naikuni, Kenya Commercial Bank CEO Martin Oduor Otieno, Public Services Minister Dalmas Otieno, assistant minister Simon Ogari, Clement M Nyandiere, Director of Information & Research Services, Parliament of Kenya, JKUAT’s DVC Prof Romanus Odhiambo.

Others are IIEC Commissioner Kennedy Nyaundi, Kenya’s Ambassador to China Julius Sunkuli, his brother and businessman Andrew Sunkuli, Prof Evans Aosa of the university of Nairobi. The school, has also produced some  prominent legislators such as Nicholas Gumbo (Rarieda), Omondi Anyanga (Nyatike), Charles Onyancha (Bonchari), former MPs Joseph Kiangoi, Peter Maundu, the late Kipkalya Kones, among others.

Publisher Barrack Muluka, Tom Omariba of MTN Business, Prof  Peter Wanyande, Eng Henry Odede, and Lawyer Steve Orina and Reuben Masese are some of the notable figures that have passed through the school.

Others are former PS Zachary Ogongo, Bishop Joseph Okemwa Mairura, Eng Nyakamba Gekaram, Dr Raymond Oigara, a consultant surgeon at St Mary’s hospital, Prof Joseph Bosire, Dr Rasugu Riech, Col Kennedy Nyandiere of Kenya Navy, Dr Nicholas Tinega, Prof Tumbo Oeri, former Chief Engineer roads Barnabas Ariga, Canada-based Dr Pollyzarrioh Ruttoh, Prof Morris Mbenda, media personalities including Nation Sports editor Elias Makori, broadcasters Jack Oyoo Sylvester and John Karani.