Friends Kaimosi Girls Senior School in Vihiga County is experiencing a remarkable revival under the leadership of Chief Principal Mrs. Rose A. Shavisa, who took over the institution just a year ago. Her tenure has been marked by decisive leadership, strategic reforms, and a renewed sense of purpose that has repositioned the school as a rising academic powerhouse.
Mrs. Shavisa assumed office following the retirement of her predecessor, Mrs. Rose Shitsama. From the outset, expectations from parents, the sponsor, and other stakeholders were high—but so were the challenges. The school was grappling with significant financial strain, including millions of shillings in debts owed to suppliers, alongside operational inefficiencies across various departments.
Undeterred, Mrs. Shavisa embraced the task with determination. Having previously served as a teacher at the institution, she possessed a deep understanding of its dynamics and needs. She conducted a comprehensive assessment, identified critical areas requiring intervention, and swiftly initiated reforms aimed at restoring stability and improving academic performance.
Within months, the school had cleared all outstanding debts and embarked on a comprehensive facelift of its infrastructure. Learning environments were improved, facilities upgraded, and systems streamlined to enhance efficiency.
Recognizing that academic success is closely tied to staff and student welfare, the administration prioritized creating a conducive environment for both teachers and learners. Key initiatives included early syllabus coverage, teacher motivation programs, engagement of renowned motivational speakers, benchmarking with top-performing schools, and increased exposure to both internal and external examinations.
These interventions yielded tangible results. In the 2025 national examinations, the school recorded a notable improvement in mean score—from 6.0158 to 6.61 (C+)—breaking an eight-year stagnation at around a mean of 6.0.
Beyond academics, significant strides have been made in staff welfare. Teachers and non-teaching staff now receive timely remuneration, boosting morale and fostering cohesion.
Students, on the other hand, have developed higher self-esteem and a stronger sense of identity, contributing to a more vibrant school culture.
Infrastructure development has also been a cornerstone of the transformation. The school successfully hosted the Kenya Music Festivals and KEMI training sessions for heads of institutions across Vihiga County—an indication of its growing stature.
Additionally, the administration has undertaken solarization projects to reduce energy costs, rehabilitated the perimeter wall to enhance security, and re-roofed key facilities in compliance with government directives on asbestos removal.
Enrollment numbers further reflect the renewed confidence in the institution. The school admitted 618 learners in Grade 10, a significant increase from previous years where intake rarely exceeded 400 and demand for admission continues to rise.
Plans are also underway to acquire a new school bus to ease logistical challenges and support co-curricular activities.
The transformation has not gone unnoticed. The General Superintendent of the Friends Church (Quakers), Rev. Ephraim Konzolo, commended Mrs. Shavisa’s leadership, noting that Friends Kaimosi Girls remains a premier institution deserving of continued support.
Parents have equally expressed satisfaction. Mr. Wenslaus Isiji lauded the Chief Principal as an effective and approachable administrator, praising her humility and inclusive leadership style.
In a further effort to strengthen teamwork and morale, the school recently organized a staff retreat in Nakuru, which reinvigorated teachers and reinforced their commitment to excellence.
Indeed, within just one year, Friends Kaimosi Girls has undergone a profound transformation.
Under the stewardship of Chief Principal Rose Shavisa, Friend s Kaimosi Girls
Rose Shavisa.
School is no longer a “sleeping giant”—it is fully awake, steadily reclaiming its position among the region’s leading institutions.
