Under the warm embrace of the afternoon sun, Friends Kaimosi Girls High School buzzed with excitement as students, teachers, parents, and education leaders gathered for its Annual General Meeting (AGM 2025) and Prize Giving Day.
The event, held on the school’s sprawling playground, was not just a celebration of academic triumphs but a rallying cry for collective action to address challenges and elevate the institution to greater heights.
A Day of Pride and Purpose
The AGM 2025 drew a vibrant mix of stakeholders, including Hamisi Member of Parliament Hon. (Dr) Charles Gimose, celebrated educator and thespian Mrs Franciscah Tracy Wamukoya, Hamisi Sub-County Director of Education Mr James Onyango, and representatives from the school’s sponsor, the Friends Church (Quakers).
Also in attendance were top performers from the 2024 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) cohort, whose stellar results set a benchmark for current learners.
The atmosphere crackled with energy as traditional songs, poetry recitals, and drama performances by students punctuated the proceedings, showcasing talents beyond academia.
Parents beamed with pride, while educators exchanged strategies for sustaining the school’s legacy.
Keynote Addresses: Leadership, Legacy, and Lifelong Lessons
1. Hon. Dr. Charles Gimose, MP: “From Watchman’s Son to Legislator – Education Breaks Chains”
Dr. Gimose, whose emotional speech resonated deeply, lauded the school as “the Alliance High of Hamisi” for its unwavering academic standards. Sharing his rags-to-riches journey, he emphasised resilience:
“My father was a watchman. We slept hungry, but education was my ladder. Today, I teach international criminal law and serve as your MP. Your background is not your destiny—your effort is.”
He pledged urgent action to address infrastructure gaps, prioritising modern sanitation facilities to avert health risks.
“A school of this stature deserves dignity,” he declared, promising collaboration with the new Board of Management (BOM) to fast-track stalled projects, including perimeter wall completion.
2. Mrs. Franciscah Wamukoya: “Teachers, Students, Parents – We Are a Triad of Success”
The veteran mathematics teacher and drama coach delivered a masterclass in motivational speaking, tailored to each stakeholder group:
– To Students: “You walk the halls of giants. This school has produced engineers, doctors, and CEOs. But legacy isn’t inherited—it’s built. Write your chapter through discipline and curiosity.”
– To Teachers: “The 8-to-4 mindset won’t elevate a nation. Excellence demands sacrifice. Mentor these girls as if they’re your own—because they’re Kenya’s future.”
– To Parents: “Own this school’s vision. Fees delayed are dreams deferred. Partner with us, whether through *Lipa Mdogo Mdogo* [gradual payments] or contributing skills.”
3. Mr James Onyango, Sub-County Director of Education: “Compliance and Compassion”
Mr Onyango applauded the school’s development blueprint but issued reminders:
– Principals must release alumni certificates promptly, per Ministry guidelines.
– Parents should enrol daughters in the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHA) to safeguard their wellbeing.
– Schools must balance academic rigor with mental health support, especially for boarding students.
Principal’s Report: Progress Amid Persistent Challenges
Chief Principal Mrs Rose Shavisa, who assumed office in January 2024, presented a candid review:
Achievements:
– Boosted Morale: “Our girls now speak boldly in public—a testament to rebuilt self-esteem.”
– Staff Reinforcements: The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) deployed eight additional teachers, easing workload pressures.
– Academic Momentum: Improved internal exam scores signal a “culture of excellence” revival.
Challenges:
– Infrastructure Strain: Overcrowded classrooms and incomplete Grade 10 blocks threaten CBC transition plans.
– Fee Arrears: Over 40% fee default rate strains operations. “We’re open to maize, beans, or poultry as payment—education must not stop,” she urged.
– Resource Gaps: Critical programmes like STEM workshops and counselling services lack funding.
Stakeholders Unite: Pledges and Promises
Friends Church (Quakers): “Education is Our Ministry”
Pastor Ephraim Konzolo reaffirmed the church’s 70-year commitment: “We don’t just sponsor schools; we nurture souls.” He challenged the BOM to “listen to learners’ whispers—their needs matter.”
BOM Chair Mr Kennedy Aluda: “A New Era of Transparency”
The newly appointed chair outlined priorities:
– Staff Welfare: “Motivated teachers mean motivated students. We’ll review allowances and housing.”
– Infrastructure: Fast-tracking ablution blocks, laboratories, and dormitory repairs.
– Parental Accountability: “Defaulters’ names will be published—no more silence.”
Parents’ Association Chair Mr Vincent Namai: “Visit, Volunteer, Advocate”
Mr Namai implored parents to:
– Attend school events regularly.
– Monitor daughters’ progress via parent portals.
– Lobby county leaders for infrastructure funding.
Honouring Excellence: Awards and Aspirations
The 2024 KCSE stars received smartphones preloaded with e-learning apps, a gesture Principal Shavisa called “a bridge to university research.”
Meanwhile, the 2025 class was tantalised with a promise: “Score a B+ and above, and a laptop awaits—no quotas.”
Voices from the Ground
– Charlotte Emungu, 2024 Top Scorer (A-): “This phone will help me study law online. I’ll be the first lawyer in my family!”
– Rachel Wadongo, a Teacher: “We’re tutoring weekends voluntarily. These girls deserve our all.”
– Parent Mary Omondi: “I’ll pay fees with my potato harvest. Education is our family’s lifeline.”
The Road Ahead
As dusk fell, stakeholders left with renewed resolve. With Dr Gimose’s infrastructure pledges, the BOM’s reform agenda, and parents’ fee commitments, Friends Kaimosi Girls seems poised for a renaissance.
Yet, as Mrs Wamukoya cautioned, “A school’s greatness isn’t in its trophies—it’s in its grit to rise after every stumble.”
For this institution, whose alumni include judges, scientists, and artists, AGM 2025 was both a victory lap and a call to arms—a reminder that education remains Kenya’s most potent equaliser.
Friends Kaimosi Girls High School, founded in 1953 by the Friends Church (Quakers), has long been a pillar of girls’ education in Western Kenya.
Its AGM 2025 blended tradition with innovation, mirroring Kenya’s evolving education landscape.
