Education remains one of the most powerful tools for transforming societies, and this is a principle that Joash Ogolla, the Assistant Chief of Kathieno “B” Sub-location in Ugenya Sub-county, Siaya County, has embraced wholeheartedly in his mission to uplift his community.
Popularly known as “Chief” among residents, Joash Ogolla has earned admiration across the county for his unwavering commitment to education and community development.
Speaking to this writer, Ogolla revealed that he joined the National Government Administration Officers (NGAO) service as an Assistant Chief about six years ago, shortly after the COVID-19 period. Upon assuming office, he was determined to make Kathieno “B” a better place for its residents.
“When I became the area Assistant Chief, one of my key responsibilities was tackling the challenge of illicit liquor brewing and consumption. Illegal brewing had become deeply entrenched in the sub-location and the wider sub-county,” he said.
However, rather than approaching the issue solely through enforcement, Ogolla sought to understand the root causes.
“Many of the brewers were people I personally knew because I was born and raised here. Some were widows, while others came from struggling families,” he explained.
He convened meetings with village elders from all the 24 villages under his administration to deliberate on sustainable solutions to the problem.
“It became clear that many people engaged in illegal brewing to raise school fees for their children and provide food for their families. That discovery changed my approach,” he added.
Recognizing that poverty and lack of educational opportunities were driving the vice, Ogolla mobilized resources to support needy students in the area. Initially, the plan was to assist two students from each village, targeting 48 learners. However, the overwhelming need saw the number rise to 88 students in the first year.
To launch the initiative, he sought support from various leaders and well-wishers.
” James Orengo Who was Senator then contributed KSh 100,000, Charles Owino donated KSh 100,000, Dr. Christine Ombaka gave KSh 50,000, while Nicholas Gumbo contributed KSh 30,000. Villagers also raised KSh 192,000, which helped us get started,” he recalled.
He further approached Ugenya MP Hon. David Ochieng, who provided bursaries of KSh 5,000 to each of the 88 learners.
According to Ogolla, the initiative was born out of a desire to break the vicious cycle of poverty that had persisted in Kathieno “B” Sub-location for generations.
“The level of illiteracy was high, and I saw the need to intervene. Education was the only sustainable solution,” he noted.
Beyond paying school fees, the Assistant Chief has consistently mentored the beneficiaries.
“Whenever schools close, I organize meetings with the students to remind them that they are products of the community and should be prepared to give back when they succeed,” he said.
Through partnerships with organizations such as NACADA, parents have also benefited from mentorship programs on entrepreneurship and financial empowerment. Some families received seed capital of KSh 10,000 to start small businesses and engage in table banking initiatives, significantly improving their livelihoods.
Today, the Kathieno “B” Education Foundation supports approximately 200 students. Ogolla says the initiative has yielded remarkable social benefits, including reduced crime rates, lower cases of drug abuse, decreased incidents of rape, and a decline in domestic violence.
His vision is inspired by legendary community leaders such as Chief Odera Kang’o, who transformed lives through education.
“I want to see more professionals emerge from Kathieno ‘B’. I want to build an educated society and an empowered community through education,” he stated.
Despite the success, the journey has not been without challenges. Ogolla recalls facing resistance from some politicians who suspected he was using the initiative for personal gain.
“Some individuals reported me to my superiors, claiming I was collecting money to enrich myself. Fortunately, the County Commissioner and Assistant County Commissioner understood the vision and supported the initiative,” he said.
As the foundation continues to grow, Ogolla has organized a major mentorship programme and fundraising event scheduled for June 12. The event aims to raise additional resources to support needy learners under the foundation.
Several distinguished guests have already confirmed their attendance, including Prof.Eric Nyambega, the Vice Chancellor of Maseno University.
For the people of Kathieno “B”, Joash Ogolla’s story is a testament to the transformative power of leadership, community support, and education. His work continues to inspire hope that education can indeed change lives and build a brighter future for generations to come.
