When Nicholas Mulila, Safaricom Chief of Corporate Systems Security took over as the BOM Chair at St. Mathias Mulumba Matinyani Secondary School six years ago (2016), the school had reported a mean of 5.2 in KCSE.
In the results released today, Matinyani has emerged tops in Kitui, and probably lower Eastern with a mean of 9.942.
In the process, it has beaten giants such as Machakos School, Kitui School, and St. Charles Lwanga among others.
Mulila thanked the Chief Principal Nelson Muriithi for inculcating hard work and discipline in the school.
“The strong man of St. Matthias Mulumba Matinya has delivered the best new year gift for Kitui West”, Mulila said.
He thanked the Kitui Catholic Diocese for the tacit support to the school both spiritually and morally.
” The entire Catholic Church machinery from the Bishop to education Secretary has played an outstanding role in modeling Matinyani”, he said
So how did Mulila turn around the fortunes of the then-average school to an academic giant?
The Safaricom Chief Corporate Security mobilized the leadership of Kitui County among them local MP Edith Nyenze, then Governor Charity Ngilu, and his friends anchored on his University of Nairobi Class of 96 (Bachelor of Commerce), Nkubu School Class of 90 and other professionals from Kitui and Mwingi.
The Kitui Catholic Diocese, the school sponsor played the key role of mobilizing the various lay groups from Matinyani and Mutonguni divisions to support the school.
The sponsor is represented in the Board by the Rev. Father Muthemba, the Education Secretary of the Diocese.
To enhance the physical facilities, Mulila and his board organized a mega Harambee through which a flyover for the boys was constructed, and ultra-modern dormitories were constructed using CDF funds and support from the County Government.
“Matinyani is the perfect example of what the Church, Government, and elected leaders can achieve when they work together”, Mulila said.
He thanked the County Government of Kitui, Kitui West MP Edith Nyenze, the Catholic Diocese and the community for helping turn around the school.
Mulila unveiled a six-point strategy to turn around the school namely:
- A 6-year strategic plan that included an upgrade of physical facilities, elimination of substance abuse in the school, and a motivation scheme. This was executed within the first 3 years.
- Visionary board of management leadership.
He also ensured a strong collaboration between BOM, Teachers, Parents, and students.
- Mulila as the chairman, brought together all stakeholders to build infrastructure in the school.
As a result, the school has the best-in-class social hall, dormitories, tuition blocks, and flyover donated by the county government of Kitui in 2019/20.
Mulila departs Matinyani for St. Charles Lwanga as chair of the sleeping giant.
