By Habil Onyango
Started as a community School in 1968 Oriwo Boys National School has continue with exemplary performance producing some of the great minds in the Country.
With the Mbele Daila, Motto,the School which recently achieved Cluster One status, becomes one of the eight such Schools in Homa Bay County.
Led by the great Mathematician, Senior Principal Mr.Tom Amadi, during the last Kenya Cerificate Secondary Edcation produced 597 out of 599 out who joined various Universities.
In the year 2025 we managed to achieve a mean grade of 9.2256 with three students getting A plain,A-(59),B+ (157),B plain (253), B-(96),C+ (24) and ,C plain (2)
According to Mr.Amadi, their success has been attributed to hardwork, self-discipline and being responsible among the Teachers, Students and even supporting staff.
“The School has grown over time as a provincial school which later was known as Extra County School this year at the age of 58 years, the school was elevated to National School (CI) status,” said Amadi
“We have a reason for the sterling performance in 2025 and the elevation to National status, I have a task to improve these results and give the school a reason to celebrate next year 2027,” said Amadi who is commonly known as Jakwano (a mathematician)
“Our 2026 target class is 10.5 which translated to an A (minus)” revealed the Senior Principal who is the eighth principals since inception and handles Mathematics for the candidates.
Currently the school is being steered by BOM chairman Prof Kitche Magak and Interior permanent Secretary Dr.Raymond Omollo as the School Patron.
Amadi revealed that Students population currently stands as 2535 consisting of Grade 963 grade 10, 832 form threes and 740 form fours
“The big population requires massive infrastructure improvement and prudent skills to ensure the learners are comfortable and are able to achieve acadmiec excellence,” he said.
The School also has 53 TSC Teachers, 38 teachers employed by Board Of Managemnt employed staff and 38 BOM employed staff and other 120 CBE of 120 teachers currently and they currently have a shortage of 67 teachers.
Discipline
With the unrest which has rocked many Schools in the Country, the students were given an option of going home and join other learners.
However according to the Principal most of them chose to remain in School and few left for early half term holidays.
“We accepted their verdict to help the school remain peaceful tough times require tough decisions and we made it,” revealed the Principal.
Curriculum Based Education (CBE)
According to Mr.Amadi, the CBE took off very well in the school, with admission of 963 grade 10.
They have since expanded their curriculum to include electricity, building construction, Power mechanics, ICT, Computer Studies, music, sports and creative Arts, Physical Education among others despite participating up to National level in drama, music and ball games.
Despite the great achievements, the School still faces a number of challenges to allow them achieve their main target.
The Senior Principal revealed that there is a need to construct an ICT for the students since currently all grade 10 students are enrolled in ICT while other 480 are taking computer studies as a subject.
“Given that most of the CBE learning is digitalized, the School should move faster to put an ICT hub to make our dream come true,” he said.
“The hub once constructed will not only serve the Oriwo Students but will be a great source of resource center for schools in Rachuonyo West and North,” he said.
Further with the growing population, the School still faces shortage since they have one water pump which is not adequate to serve all the students.
“We spend more than four million on water every year on water providers,” revealed Mr, Amadi during celebration on the elevation of the School to C1 level which was presided over by Dr.Omollo.
Mr. Amadi added that the dormitories are currently not enough, however construction of a two storey dormitory is underway when completed, the capacity will be 1,500 students and lack of modern Library, development of tarmac and cabros for the school gate
BOM Chairman Professor Magak however appreciated Dr. Omollo for donating 47 computers during the visit with President William Ruto the computers are being effectively used to improve performance” said Amadi.
“Today our results and our elevation to National School status are answers to that collective yes this achievement did not arrive like sudden rain but it grew like a mighty tree watered by early mornings, nourished by late nights, strengthened by discipline and rooted on unwavering focus,” he said
“Our students chose purpose over distraction, our teachers gave their best so that others might become their best, and our parents stood beside us, offering encouragements, guidance, prayer and sacrifice
“As we celebrate the remarkable KCSE results let us remember that excellences never an accident.it is the harvest of disciplined minds, hardworking hands and focused hearts and to our students you have shown that determination can turn dreams into reality,” said the Prof.
“To our staff and teachers, you have been the steady hands shaping young lives to our parents you have been our indispensable partners, school succeeds when home and school walk the same path,” he said.
Further, the Chairman said that as Oriwo Boys they are entering this new chapter as a national school, may they should remain humble in success, steadfast, disciplined, and fearless in pursuit of even greater heights.
“The future is calling, may we answer it with the same conviction that brought us here,” he said.
Dr. Omollo however hailed the School for continuing giving exemplary results adding that he is certain the 2026 KCSE candidates will proceed to University
He at the same time advised the students to remain disciplined, respectful and above all they must remain disciplined.
“Not all of you will score A’s or B’s but if you are disciplined you will be able to go places,” said the Patron
