THE PRINCIPAL WHO BORROWED FROM HIS OWN SALARY TO SAVE A SCHOOL!
When Obenge Philemon Ogolla walked into Riambase DEB Secondary School in Nyamache in 2007, he didn’t find a school — he found a skeleton of a dream.
Only four classrooms stood there, doorless and windowless, staring helplessly into the swampy surroundings. Blue gum trees stood like silent witnesses, while just 84 students occupied the struggling institution.
Government funding was moving at the speed of a tortoise carrying luggage.
So Ogolla decided to put his own salary on the firing line. He took a personal loan, fixed the classrooms, installed doors and windows, and rallied his fellow teachers to join him in rebuilding the school.
He wasn’t merely running a school; he was planting a forest and watering it with his own sweat.
By 2018, the tiny institution had transformed into a 1,073-student academic powerhouse, complete with full boarding facilities.
Then came the report cards.
In the 2017 KCSE, 108 out of 149 candidates earned direct university admission, while even the last seven candidates crossed the C- line.
From four broken classrooms to a thriving institution — Ogolla had turned a leaking boat into a battleship.
Now, Mr. Obenge takes the helm at Ambira, a school currently battling student unrest and declining academic fortunes.
The question hanging in the air is simple:
Can the man who once resurrected a dying school breathe life into Ambira
From Facebook
Morara Kebaso: My children were going to Rophine School I was paying averagely 120,000 per term.
While I was away in China you forcefully moved the children to an international school without my consent.
The school fees plus other needs for two children is now 1 million per term. I protested this move. Not because of the cost but because I dont believe in the values taught at international schools.
Its a free world over there and children are brought up with so much privilege they sometimes become detached from the real world and the challenges of ordinary people.
I wanted my children to go to normal Kenyan schools like other children so that they build african values. When I was travelling to Ethiopia you sent me court papers where you have taken me to court to pay that school fees by force.
The case is still in court I am waiting for the decision nijue cha kufanya.
Mercy. If you are honest you will bare witness to the whole world that I have attended every single parents meeting since they stepped in school. Infact you have only attended two parents meetings.
I have attended all of them. I never missed a single one. Even when i was busy in politics i would travel overnight 400 kilometres to be in school the next day. When did i become an irresponsible father?
Teachers of Rophine school. Can you kindly confirm this. That i used to come to school uninvited randomly to check classwork.
Mercy, when Zainah was born who was staying up at night to watch over her. Who was washing her? Who was washing her clothes? Is it not me?
You still want to take advantage of a world where men are told to ignore when women drag their names and reputation into the trash can?
You still want to take advantage of a world where men are told to ignore when women drag their names and reputation into the trash can?
When you left our home and bought or rented your own house. I was in Kisii i was not in Nairobi at the time.
I came and found you gone. Since then how many reconciliation attempts have I made. I left Nairobi took myself to your parents home in Bobasi in humility and talked to them and asked for a family meeting with my parents.
Instead of a meeting you served me court papers. So between family reconciliation and court battles what exactly is effective?
(Mutembei Tv ; Facebook)