By Edward Lyomu – Mulembe Times
St. Mary’s Boys High School Kibabii has appointed its former student, Geoffrey Murunga, as the new principal, marking a symbolic return for an educationist who once studied at the institution between 1988 and 1991.
Popularly known among its alumni and the wider community as Kibamen or Kibachwe, the school has described the appointment as both historic and timely, coming at a period when the institution is seeking to strengthen academic performance and administrative stability.
Mr Murunga, an alumnus shaped by the school’s long-standing Catholic tradition and the motto Orare et Laborare (Pray and Work), becomes one of the few former students to rise to the helm of the same institution that laid the foundation for his professional journey.
A homecoming steeped in symbolism
For many former students and teachers, Murunga’s return is being viewed as more than an ordinary posting by the Teachers Service Commission. It represents what some have described as a “homecoming of experience” – a leader who understands the culture, values and expectations of the school from the inside.
Speaking shortly after his arrival, Murunga expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve his former school and pledged to work closely with teachers, parents and students to protect the school’s academic heritage while steering it towards stronger and more consistent results.
“I return with a deep sense of responsibility. This school shaped me, and I now return to give back through service and leadership,” he said.
A seasoned administrator
Before his appointment to Kibabii, Murunga served in several secondary schools across the North Rift and Western regions, building a reputation as a firm but results-oriented administrator.
His career includes leadership stints at:
- St. Anthony’s Boys High School Kitale, where he is credited with strengthening academic discipline and co-curricular performance;
- Ortum Boys Secondary School, where he oversaw internal reforms aimed at improving student discipline and staff coordination; and
- Goseta High School, his most recent posting, where he reportedly focused on academic planning, teacher supervision and student mentorship programmes.
Colleagues who have previously worked with him describe him as an administrator who places strong emphasis on classroom accountability, continuous assessment and close monitoring of subject departments.
Addressing performance concerns
Murunga takes charge of St. Mary’s Kibabii at a time when the school is under pressure to address weaknesses that emerged in recent national examinations, particularly in Mathematics.
Although the school has maintained a strong overall profile in co-curricular activities and general academic standards, internal performance reviews have shown that Mathematics has remained a persistent challenge compared to other core subjects.
Education stakeholders within the Kibabii community have attributed the trend to a combination of internal management gaps, strained staff relations and inconsistent subject supervision in recent years.
Upon assuming office, Murunga indicated that one of his immediate priorities would be to stabilise the Mathematics department and strengthen internal academic systems.
“We must fix what is within our control. Subject leadership, teamwork and consistent supervision will be key. No subject should pull the school backwards,” he said.
A new chapter for “Kibachwe”
Parents and alumni have welcomed the appointment, expressing hope that Murunga’s familiarity with the school’s culture and expectations will enable him to move swiftly in addressing both academic and administrative gaps.
Several old boys’ representatives said his return has already renewed optimism among students, especially because he is viewed as a leader who understands the pressures facing learners in modern secondary education.
As he begins his tenure, Murunga is expected to prioritise curriculum supervision, teacher performance appraisal, student discipline and strategic academic planning, with the goal of restoring the school’s competitiveness across all examinable subjects.
For St. Mary’s Boys High School Kibabii, the appointment of a former student to lead the institution signals the start of what many are already calling the Murunga era — a chapter defined by high expectations, firm leadership and a renewed drive to ensure that the once-dominant “Kibachwe” giant finishes strong where it has previously stumbled.
