After nearly two decades of decline, St. Stephen’s Namulungu Secondary School in Matungu Sub-county is experiencing a remarkable renaissance, spearheaded by the transformative leadership of its principal, Mr Martin Wamoyi.
Established in the early 1960s, Namulungu was a pioneer institution in the Western Region, educating a generation of senior citizens as the only secondary school in North Wanga during its formative years. However, by the late 1990s, the once-premier school had fallen into disrepair. Its student population dropped drastically, and the institution became a mere shell of its former self.
This downward trajectory began to reverse when Mr Wamoyi assumed leadership in August of last year. He arrived from Ekwanda Secondary in Vihiga to a school where community expectations were high and the immediate former principal had been forced out.
“The expectations from the community were, and still are, very high,” Mr Wamoyi recalled. “I assured them I would deliver. I conducted a full assessment of the school, and I am glad that after a year, everything is now flowing seamlessly.”
The principal’s resuscitation strategy has been multi-faceted, targeting infrastructure, human resources, and student morale. Key actions include:
Staff Reinforcements: The school’s human resources was reinforced by bringing in passionate new teachers, while others who had “overstayed” were transferred. The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) also posted a new Deputy Principal, Mr Kunani, whom Mr Wamoyi praised for his wonderful work. Department heads were reshuffled to inject new energy into academic leadership.
Infrastructure Upgrades: The school, now mixed-gender, had been plagued by dilapidated structures. The administration has begun slow but steady upgrades, including the construction of new 10-door septic latrines for boys and girls.
Student Welfare and Discipline: Mr Wamoyi emphasised that academics and discipline are “conjoined twins.” The school has focused on giving students hope and reinforcing their purpose, leading to a significant drop in indiscipline cases. “The students now understand that they can still impress, regardless of their low entry behaviour,” he noted.
Community and Alumni Engagement: The school has leveraged its powerful alumni association, which has promised to journey with them and offer support. The local community has also been instrumental, notably in supporting co-curricular activities.
The results of these efforts are already visible. Syllabus coverage is effectively on track, with pre-candidate classes already halfway through the Form Four curriculum. In co-curricular activities, the school has assembled a formidable soccer team it expects to be highly competitive next year, having already identified talented players from Grade 9 to join the squad.
“We have been benchmarking with other schools, and we are hopeful that we are on the right path,” Mr Wamoyi stated. “Given time, we will reclaim our position in academics.”
Through determined leadership and collaborative effort, St. Stephen’s Namulungu Secondary is not just being repaired—it is being reborn, steadily marching toward reclaiming its legacy as a beacon of education in Kakamega County.
