By Boniface  Mulu

Kitui County, Kenya: A spirit of celebration and high ambition filled the grounds of Saint Paul’s Ikanga Boys Secondary School this past Saturday, as the community gathered for the school’s annual Prize Giving Day and Annual General Meeting.

The event, graced by thousands including students, parents, teachers, and local leaders, became a powerful testament to the transformative power of education and community partnership.

In a speech delivered on his behalf by the County Minister for Environment and Climate Change, Hon. Richard John Mwendandu, Kitui County Governor Dr. Julius Makau Malombe set the tone for the day. He framed the occasion as more than a ceremony, calling it “a symbol of achievement, a day of thanksgiving, and a time to appreciate the collective effort of students, teachers, and parents.”

Governor Malombe’s message celebrated holistic excellence. “We are here to celebrate those who have excelled—not just academically, but in leadership, sports, creativity, and discipline,” his speech read. He extended hearty congratulations to the prizewinners, noting that their success is “the result of hard work, discipline, and perseverance.”

With encouragement for every student, he added, “To those who did not receive awards today, remember this is not the end of the road. Your moment of recognition will come if you remain focused and disciplined.”

The Governor also issued a direct charge to the student body, urging them to “develop a strong work ethic, avoid shortcuts, and say no to peer pressure and drug abuse.” He commended the school’s leadership for its visible results in both academic performance and student character, encouraging them to continue investing in quality education and infrastructure to make Ikanga a “model of excellence.”

Echoing this sentiment, the school’s Principal, Evans K. Nzangi, proudly detailed the institution’s remarkable track record. He revealed that Ikanga Boys, established in 1974, has been the top-performing school in the Kitui South Constituency for the last five years.

“We consistently achieve many As and B-pluses in the KCSE national examination,” Nzangi stated. “Last year, we sent 88 students to universities, and this year, that number has risen to over 100. This success is built on a foundation of excellent student discipline.” Looking ahead with confidence, the principal announced an ambitious target: to raise the school’s mean score from last year’s 7.2 to an impressive 7.7 this year.

The school’s quality did not go unnoticed by national officials. Mr. Michael Tuitowek, the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) Director for Mutomo District, made a compelling case for the school’s status, declaring, “This school should be a national school. It should not be an extra-county school.”

This endorsement was strongly supported by Fr. Antony Muema, the Kitui Catholic Diocesan Education Secretary, who noted, “The facilities we have here are better than those in some of the national schools in Kenya.” Representing Bishop Joseph Mwongela, Fr. Muema highlighted the Diocese’s deep commitment to education, which includes sponsoring 123 public secondary schools, 347 primary schools, 12 special schools, and one college across Kitui County.

The event also featured addresses from the County Minister for Education, Hon. Joyce Kasyoka Masila, who encouraged students to embrace their educational opportunities, and the Mutomo District Education Officer, Dr. James Kinaichu.

The day culminated in a symbolic act of growth and sustainability, as leaders, students, parents, and teachers joined together to plant trees within the school compound, leaving a living legacy to mark a day dedicated to nurturing future potential.